There is no harm in going out and enjoying yourself and having a few drinks. It may be that there is no harm in experimenting with the occasional recreational drug – but I am less experienced to comment on this. However, apart from the well known health risks of drinking heavily or binge drinking over a sustained period. The risks of liking those drugs so much that you become addicted.
Rape Risks
Home Office statistics indicate that the lifetime risk of a woman being raped or seriously sexually assaulted in the UK is 10%. In at least half these cases it is estimated that the woman has been drinking and in a similar proportion, so has the man (with a great deal of overlap when both have been drinking). Drunken rapists can be particularly aggressive and violent. Many women do not report rape and this is especially true if they have been drinking. It is also sadly true that there is much less sympathy for the victim if he or she was under the influence of alcohol.
Government figures state that at least 20,000 rapes each year involve alcohol. Alcohol was the ‘drug’ that was present – alcohol and not Rohypnol is the date rape drug.
Domestic Violence
If 20,000 alcohol related rapes sounds a lot, then the figures for alcohol related domestic violence are even more shocking. Alcohol fuels 360,000 domestic violence cases a year.
4000 people die each year in alcohol related accidents and violence including drink driving. 80,000 people a year are arrested in drink fuelled incidents and if in any one has any doubt at all about the effects of alcohol on society. Then just go along to your local accident and emergency department. Especially on a Friday or Saturday night, and see the injuries, illness and general yobbish behaviour displayed there.
Crime
Finally, the government estimates that drink related crime costs the UK £7.3 billion a year. This is more likely to be crime against people than property.
Yes, a few drinks or occasional recreational drugs may be harmless. But take it beyond a few and the massive harm done is plain to see.
The Haynes Clinic is an alcohol and drug rehab clinic which offers detox and counselling for people with addictions.
Call 01462 851414 for free and confidential advice.
