Dating and Relationships

• Alcohol, Sex & Responsibility
• Am I Ready to Date?
  
• Are You Right for Each Other Quiz
  
• Healthy Self-Esteem
  
• Communication Skills for Healthy Relationships
  
• Information and Resources on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Relationships
  
• What is Important to You in a Relationship?
• What Can Parents Do?

Facts about alcohol

1 drink is =

• 12oz. Bottle of beer (5% alcohol)
  
  
• 5oz. Wine (12% alcohol)
  
  
• 1 ½ oz. Spirits (eg. Vodka, tequila, etc.)

1. More than 12 drinks a week greatly increases your risk of alcohol problems.
   
   
2. More than 1 drink an hour increases your risk of becoming drunk.
   
   
3. Alcohol reduces your ability to study.
   
   
4. Alcohol impairs reaction time, side vision, balance, reflexes, eye/hand coordination, thereby interfering with ones' ability to drive a vehicle or to participate in sports and recreational activities.
   
   
5. Alcohol is a depressant, not a problem solver. If you are already stressed or depressed, it can make things worse, not better. 

Tips:

• Avoid getting intoxicated or drunk
  
  
• Encourage those around you to drink sensibly
  
  
• Have something to eat when drinking
  
  
• Don't leave any drink unattended
  
  
• Never drink and drive, nor ride with a driver that has been drinking
  
  
• High caffeine levels in energy drinks mask the effects of excess alcohol making the combination very dangerous (ex: red bull and liquor)
  
  
• Don't drink any drink you didn't see being made

Sex and alcohol some facts

• Alcohol becomes a contributing factor to violence by reducing inhibitions, increasing tolerance for pain (physical and emotional) and providing a rationalization for violent behaviour.
  
  
• An American report on date rape involving over 6100 students, found that 75% of men and 55% of women involved in incidences of date rape had been drinking or using drugs.
  
  
• Being drunk does not diminish sexual responsibility. One can be charged with sexual assault if a rape is committed while under the influence of alcohol.
  
  
• 64% of males and 50% of females aged 16-21 years stated they were less likely to use condoms after drinking.
  
  
• Alcohol impairs judgment needed to take "safer sex" precautions, to say "no" to sexual intercourse and to use sanitary methods of injecting drugs.
  
  
• When they drink, 76% of young women having sex for the first time will not use birth control.
  
  
• It is important to know that the laws around consent for sexual activity change when someone is under the influence of alcohol. See Consent for Sexual Activity for further information.

Help is available

Have you had...

• Unexpected or unplanned or unprotected sex...

Call the Health Unit’s Health ACTION Line at 1-800-660-5853 for information about:

• Emergency contraceptive pill - ECP within 5days (the sooner the better!)
  
  
• STI testing and free treatment
  
  
• Pregnancy testing and counselling
  
  
• Problems with drug or alcohol use

In case of sexual assault, save the evidence, don’t shower, go immediately to your local emergency department.



For more information and support visit www.satcontario.com (Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care and Treatment Centres) or call the Assault Response and Care Centre at 1-800-567-7415.

• Alcholics Anonymous 613-342-8452
  
  
• Distress Line (5pm – Midnight) 1-800-465-4442
  
  
• Alcohol/Drugs