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Sexual Health, Alcohol and Drugs

Life After the Night Before

Alcohol is playing a bigger role in some people's social life and it's no coincidence that the Island sees its busiest time for pregnancy scares and young people reporting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) around the party seasons.

Alcohol and drugs can greatly affect your ability to make decisions and the result can leave you feeling ashamed, hurt and regret. It can also have an impact on the rest of your life.

The following information is here to help you plan for nights out and the party season and to help you if you do need help or advice.

The morning after pill - a list of places you can get help or advice if you are worried about alcohol, sex, STIs, pregnancy and more.

Planning Ahead

STIs and pregnancy aren't part of the plan, they're not what people are out looking for. People just want to have fun, right? So have fun, get out and make the most of your time with friends and family but take a couple of minutes to read the tips and risks below. These aren't rules or laws, they're just tips to help you make the most of your nights out.

Tips for a good night out

  1. Plan ahead - Know who you're going out with and keep an eye out for each other.
  2. Know yourself - You know how much alcohol you can handle better than anyone. For some people a couple of drinks will make them feel drunk, for others it takes a lot more. Rational decisions become much harder to make when drunk so be aware of what your limits are and stick to them.
  3. Plan getting home - Book a lift from a family member or a taxi. Stick the numbers for a couple of taxi companies in your phone too
  4. Keep credit on your phone - Make sure you have money on your phone before you head out. It's always handy for calling a cab, friends or family if you need to.
  5. Be yourself - Don't be pressured into doing things you are not comfortable with or ready for. Think about how you will feel about things the next morning and the potential consequences.
  6. Be safe - Carry condoms with you so you're prepared if you do meet somebody you want to have sex with. Condoms are available at all sorts of places like chemists, supermarkets and garages.

What Are Some of the Risks

Alcohol and Sex

People use alcohol to relax and become less self-conscious. It can give you more confidence and lower your inhibitions, which can be great when you're in control.

The risk of drinking too much is that you can end up making decisions you wouldn't normally make. Some of these may be harmless and others potentially more serious. Having sex is one of those decisions that has the potential for much greater consequences the next morning. It's not really one of those decisions that should be made lightly.

You need to think about more than just contraception though. You need to consider who you want to have sex with, whether you are even ready to have sex and how will feel the morning after the night before? Don't feel pressured into doing anything you are not comfortable with.

The best thing is to be prepared. Carry condoms with you, these will help protect against STIs and pregnancy in the event that you do choose to have sex.

Also, remain in control of the decisions you make by knowing your limits when you drink and sticking to them.

Pregnancy

This is obviously a massive risk if you are having unprotected sex and one that will affect the rest of your life. Whether you are planning on having sex or not, planning contraception in advance is really important. Condoms are easy to get hold of and can help protect against pregnancy and STIs.

The responsibility doesn't just lie with girls on this either. Lads who are not ready to be a dad yet need to make sure they take precautions. After all, do you know what contraception your partner uses? Do you know what to do if it fails or she forgets to take the pill on time? If in doubt remember condoms are the only method that reduce the risk of pregnancy & STIs'.

If you think you might be pregnant after having unprotected sex, see our help and advice section.

STI's

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that can be transmitted by humans through sexual activity. An infected person may not necessarily show a symptom of the disease, which is why using a condom is so important.

There are many STIs, none of which are very pleasant, ranging from Pubic Lice through to Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and HIV. Again, if you are going to have sex, avoiding STIs can be as simple as using a condom.

If you are worried about STIs, or think you may have an STI, it is important to get this checked out. For help or advise, see our useful STI links.

There are many different types of STIs and for more information on these check out the Brook website.

Embarrassment

Alcohol makes people do all kinds of things they wouldn't normally do. Aside from the physical risks, one of the most common 'morning after' experiences is embarrassment. This is not made any easier with the use of social networks. Photos, videos, messages are all too easy to broadcast and are very hard to remove once uploaded.

Injury

Well-known side effects of alcohol include reduced co-ordination and increased confidence, a combination that can prove painful, embarrassing and ultimately deadly. If you are out drinking, remember the tips for a good night out - stick to your limits and watch out for your friends.

Depression

Drinking can cause some people to feel depressed, and others may use alcohol at times when they are depressed. If you feel down, try to find someone you can talk to who knows you and can listen. If you prefer to talk to somebody in confidence who doesn't know you the Samaritans are open 24/7 via a phone call - 663399.

The Morning After

If you are worried about anything related to alcohol, sex, STIs, pregnancy or drugs, the following links might be helpful. And don't forget if you have a question that is not answered here, you can ask Tim in total confidence. You can even send an anonymous question and Tim will post an answer in the FAQs page

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraceptive pill (EC pill, Levonelle) - it's there for when your regular contraception lets you down such as a burst condom or a 'forgotten' condom, or a missed pill scare. The emergency contraceptive pill Levonelle is sometimes called the 'morning after pill'. Do you know though - you can take Levonelle up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex and not just on the morning after.

The emergency contraceptive pill is more effective the sooner you take it:

  • When you take it within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it is 95% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • When it's taken between 25-48 hours after unprotected sex, it is 85% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • When it's taken between 49-72 hours after unprotected sex, it is 58% effective at preventing pregnancy

So it's important that you get advice on emergency contraception as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. You can get the emergency contraceptive pill, for free, at any of the following places:

  • Most pharmacies
  • Family planning and GUM clinic
  • GPs and practice nurses

There is another emergency pill called ellaOne but its needs a prescription and is harder to find.

Remember - it's better to have reliable form of contraception (Pill, Implant, Injection etc) to avoid a pregnancy, but if you need it there is emergency contraception. If you need advice see the advice section.

Emergency intra-uterine device (IUD)

The IUD is sometimes called the 'coil'. It is a small "T" shaped piece of plastic and copper that is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. It can be fitted as an emergency contraceptive up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It has to be fitted by a specially trained doctor or nurse so you should check with a service to see if they fit IUDs before going.

The emergency IUD is almost 100% effective at whatever stage it is within the 5 days.

The IUD can be fitted at:

  • Family planning clinic
  • Some GPs

Remember – it's better to have reliable form of contraception (Pill, Implant, injection etc) to avoid a pregnancy but if you need it there is emergency contraception. If you need advice see the advice section.

Sexual Health STIs

Isle of Man Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic Noble's Hospital Telephone: (01624) 650710

Regular Opening Hours

  • Mon 2pm to 5pm
  • Tues 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm
  • Wed 2pm to 5pm
  • Thurs 9.30 to 12 noon
  • Friday 9.30 to 12 noon and 2pm to 5pm

Christmas Opening Hours

  • Monday 19th December - 2pm to 5pm
  • Tuesday 20th December - 2pm to 5pm
  • Tuesday 20th December - 6pm to 8pm
  • Wednesday 21st December - 2pm to 5pm
  • Thursday 22nd December - 09.30 to 12.30
  • Friday 23rd December - 09.30- 12.30
  • Monday 26th December - CLOSED ALL DAY
  • Tuesday 27th December - CLOSED ALL DAY
  • Wednesday 28th December - 2pm to 5pm
  • Wednesday 28th December - 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday 29th December - CLOSED ALL DAY
  • Friday 30th December - 2pm to 5pm
  • Monday 2nd January - CLOSED ALL DAY then as normal for the rest of the week

No drop in facility available at present.

Condoms are available to pick up free of charge from the GUM clinic

  • All calls are treated in the strictest confidence
  • All clinic records are kept separate to regular hospital notes and are strictly confidential
  • Under 16's are welcome

Family Planning - Pregnancy

Family Planning Clinic Ballakermeen Road, Douglas Telephone: (01624) 642186

Opening Hours

  • Monday - 12 noon to 1:30pm drop in session
  • Wednesday - 6:30pm to 8pm by appointment
  • Thursday - 6:30pm to 8pm by appointment
  • Friday - 1:30pm to 3pm by appointment, 1-3pm (Suspended up until the end of March. Pick up free condoms or make an appointment only)

Alcohol

Drugs

Other Useful Links