SLUIT SCHERM

Are you drinking too much?

Alcohol use has become common

Alcohol use has become common in our society. Many over-55s find it pleasant and enjoyable to have a drink every now and then. There are also people over 55 who drink to relieve the feeling of stress, loneliness or depression. Research shows that the use of alcohol has increased among seniors. Over the past 10 years, the number of cases of alcohol poisoning among people over 55 has tripled. There are also more accidents due to alcohol. The risk of health damage from alcohol depends on the total alcohol consumption of the drinker, but also on the drinking pattern that someone has.

The higher the total consumption of alcohol, the greater the risk of harm. The majority of over-55s seem unaware that alcohol is an addictive substance and not good for health. The current standard for alcohol consumption of the Health Council is: 'don't drink alcohol, or no more than one glass a day'. More than a third of the over-55s think that this standard is two glasses a day. As the age increases, people more often say they have no idea what the current standard for responsible alcohol consumption is. What about your usage?
 

What is responsible alcohol consumption?

Responsible drinking means that its use has no adverse effects on health, work and relationships. Alcohol increases the risk of physical complaints, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Health Council issued the following advice in 2015: Do not drink alcohol or in any case no more than one glass a day. Drinking less or no alcohol is always better! Daily drinking is not recommended to avoid a habit. 

The Health Council uses standard glasses as units. Each type of drink has its own standard glass:

250 ml
5% alc

100 ml
12% alc

35 ml
35% alc

Responsible Drinking Guidelines

If adults and over-55s adhere to the following tips, alcohol poses few health risks.

1

Do not drink alcohol or in any case no more than one glass of alcohol per day. And keep at least two alcohol-free days a week to prevent habituation.

2

Don't drink if you have to drive.
Agree in advance who will be the designated driver.

3

Alcohol stimulates the expulsion of water and only causes more thirst.
Drink soft drinks, tea or water for thirst and alcohol for the 'tasty'. Drink a glass of soda every now and then between alcoholic drinks.

4

Drink for pleasure and relaxation and not to drink away stress or underlying problems.

5

Make sure that you are not the first to empty your glass every time. Watch the pace of your fellow drinkers and try to be the last to empty your glass.

6

Say no every now and then and don't drink because someone is giving another round.

7

Do not drink a drink and beer at the same time and do not combine alcohol with other drugs.

8

Drink geen borrel en bier tegelijk en combineer alcohol ook niet met andere drugs.

Phases of use

Of course, not everyone who uses a substance is immediately addicted. Most people sometimes use stimulants: a glass of wine with dinner or a cigar on special occasions. People feel comfortable with this or less insecure because of it. As long as you're not dependent on it, there's nothing wrong with it. People who can no longer live without them are in the danger zone of an addiction.

Drugs give a pleasant feeling

All stimulants, including alcohol, have in common that they give a pleasant feeling. The reward center in our brain is responsible for the pleasant feeling. When this reward system is strongly stimulated by substances such as alcohol or other drugs, it releases a substance called dopamine. Dopamine provides a pleasant feeling. Then you want more of it.

 

Different phases

Before someone gets into trouble with his alcohol use, several stages have already passed. The use of addictive substances can be divided into six phases
 

What stage of use are you in?

Want to find out what kind of drinker you are? Here you can see which stage suits your use. For example: Do you drink alcohol regularly or occasionally? Do you usually drink with others or alone? Are you drinking in moderation or more than you intended? You can click on the statements you recognize or perhaps also think or pronounce. Here you can find out what type of drinker you are. 

1. Introduction

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

 
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Click here to proceed to the next stage

2. Experimental User

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

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Click here to proceed to the next stage

3. Social User

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

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Click here to proceed to the next stage

4. User Habit

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

 
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Click here to proceed to the next stage

5. Problematic User

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

 
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Click here to proceed to the next stage

6. Dependent User

Tick ​​answers that suit you. If none of the answers fit your situation within a phase, then you don't tick anything. Then you can move on to the next phase to find out what type of drinker you are.

 
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Click here to proceed to the next stage

Phase 1: Introduction

You have clicked on most statements in the introduction phase.

This phase represents drinking alcohol once and you do not yet know whether this can be repeated. In general, people drink alcohol for the first time at a young age. It sometimes happens that people only start drinking alcohol when they are older.

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

 

Phase 2: Experiment 

You have clicked on most statements in the experimentation phase.


This may mean that you are curious about alcohol and, for example, you go to the supermarket to see what alcoholic drinks are available and you are going to try a few things. Usually this is not a problematic phase. Although it is possible at this stage to accidentally drink too much due to ignorance. If you want to know more, you can take a look at www.alcoholinfo.nl 

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

Phase 3: Social user

You have clicked on most statements in the social use phase.

Experimentation can turn into social use. This means that you do not drink daily and not on your own. You sometimes drink when you go out to dinner or at a party. Alcohol stands for relaxation and fun. You are aware of the risks and you are not a fast drinker. When you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and it has no effect on other things in your life. It does not affect work, relationship or other persons.
Everything is still under control at this stage. Do not drive under the influence in this phase 

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

Phase 4: Habitual Drinker

You have clicked on most statements in the habitual use phase. 


It crept in unnoticed! This means that you drink alcohol regularly. You drink a drink in the same situation or time, such as when cooking, with dinner or before going to sleep. If you drink alcohol regularly, it is important to know that your body gets used to it. You get used to it and you feel the effects of alcohol less well.
You can reduce your alcohol consumption by, for example, examining your habit. 

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

Phase 5: Problematic use

You have clicked on most statements in the problematic use phase.

When your drinking becomes too habitual, there is a risk that it will affect other important things in your life. For example: your partner or other important relatives indicate that you have difficulty with your use or you do not keep appointments or you no longer function as well at work. So problems arise as a result of your alcohol consumption. These can be health problems (such as high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorder, poor sleep, sadness) or problems with relationships, work or finances.        

Use is also problematic if you think you need it and want to feel better. For example: forgetting problems and/or suppressing feelings. Do you drink to forget stress? Then you have given alcohol a function in this phase.                            
In this phase there are also a few reasons why people over 55 are sensitive to drinking more alcohol. They have more time and money to spend. In addition, pain and sadness can also be reasons to drink more often, but also the thought of having earned it because people who are retired have worked all their lives!

At this stage you as a drinker have problems and you can ask yourself the following question: 'Do you drink because you are having a hard time or are you having a hard time because you drink?'   

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

Stage 6: Dependence or Addiction

You have clicked on most statements in the dependency phase

At this stage, alcohol is central to your life. Do you often crave alcohol and drink more than you want? Has alcohol become a way of dealing with problems and quitting is no longer possible? This phase means that you have lost control of your use and can no longer do without it.
You have become addicted (physically and mentally) to alcohol. In this phase it is not wise to stop the alcohol on your own accord. Your body has now also become dependent on this and stopping it can have fatal consequences for you.

We advise you to discuss this with your GP and perhaps considering a treatment is a good step for you. If you do not want to take this step yet, you can inform yourself at: www.alcoholinfo.nl or https://www.jellinek.nl/vragen-  Antwoord/wanneer-ben-je-verslaafd-aan-alcohol/

! Please note, this is just general information. If you have any questions or would like to know more, you can register here for a free meeting with a prevention officer in your area or take a look at our free platform.

Feiten en fabels

"Alcohol vs. Leren"

 
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Klik hier om het volgende feit of fabel te lezen

Take on the challenge to stop drinking for a month. For example
, you can participate in 'Dry January' or 'IkPas'. These national initiatives are linked to a certain period of the year. You can of course reduce or stop at a time or period that you want!


 

Hierbij volgen 10 redenen om te stoppen met alcohol:

 

1. U doet uw lever er een plezier mee.

2. Het is beter voor uw hart en bloedvaten.

3. U slaapt beter.

4. U bespaart geld.

5. U heeft geen katers meer.

6. U valt af.

7. U krijgt een mooiere huid.

8. Het is beter voor uw hersenen. ​​​​​​

9. U krijgt sterker en gezonder haar.

10. Het stoppen zal u helpen om in te zien dat alcohol ook nadelen heeft.

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Participation in 'Moti55' is free and the sessions take place at a location near you. Click on the button below to see where you can contact us. 


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