Cheers!

By Catherine Steele

"Cheers" - and clink go the glasses! This salutation is often heard when family and friends gather in homes, restaurants and pubs.

But sometimes these good times turn bad if the glasses contain an alcoholic drink, such as beer, wine or liquor. "Cheers" is uttered too often... and the "cheeree" becomes drunk.

Many people say getting drunk is just part of adolescence, part of growing up. Research shows that 29 per cent of Canadian youth, aged 11 to 16 years, have been drunk at least once. But in a study of 319 youth with disabilities, also aged 11 to 16 years, only five per cent reported ever being drunk. What a difference!

This sounds like good news. But wait a minute: In a recent pilot study, 47 per cent of adults with disabilities were found to have been drunk. Quite a change!

If adults with disabilities get drunk once or twice as they explore their independence, it may be all right. But the problem occurs when alcohol is used to cope with life - for example, to relieve physical or psychological difficulties such as spasticity or depression. The problem is when becoming drunk is a way of life.

A moderate intake of alcohol is generally thought to be one drink a day, where one drink is: one bottle of beer; five ounces of wine; or one and a half ounces of liquor. Drinking in excess of this amount might signify problem drinking.

What can be done? Youth with disabilities could be better prepared for adulthood at home, school and health centres. Discussions could be initiated regarding how alcohol can affect mobility or interfere with medication, how to recognize alcohol dependence, and where to get help.

Alternative ways of coping with life could be put forth. This could include investigating various physical activities (swimming, stretching exercises), following healthy diets, considering part-time work/volunteering, making and enjoying friendships... living life without depending on one more thing - alcohol.

As youth with disabilities become adults, let them treat themselves and alcohol with the respect both deserve. Here’s to their happy, fulfilling lives - cheers!