BRITAIN'S DEADLIEST ADDICTIONS

PROGRAMME 3: DAY 3 AT THE CLINIC

ACTIVITIES

Guidance

If students have seen the whole of Programme 1, they will be able to carry out the following activities using just the clips provided below. However, if they have not seen Programme 1, then it is suggested that students watch at least the opening introduction to this programme to give them an adequate summary of the background so far.

This programme is particularly useful if you want to focus on the long-term effects of alcohol on the body.

The statements in the activity for Clip 2 could be cut up into cards to be discussed one at a time.

Download activity sheet for Programme 3 [Word doc, 50KB]

Before viewing

Discussion questions for small groups or pairs (included in the downloadable activity sheet):

• What damage do you think long-term misuse of alcohol can have on the body?
• Does drinking heavily make the person drinking more attractive or amusing?
• How is binge-drinking different from alcoholism?
• How do people feel when they are drunk? Why would someone want to feel like this all the time?
• Do you know anyone with a drink problem? Can you describe her/him?

After/during viewing

Some or all of the following activities relate to specific clips from the programme. We regret that we cannot make these clips available on the website. Teachers and other users can access the programmes free of charge from the Channel 4 video on demand service, 4oD (PC only), or the programmes may be taped off air for use in the classroom (see TV listings for the current term's schedule). Please note that the clip times will vary on different viewing platforms and devices.

Activities linked to clips

Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol
Clip 1: 03.43 – 07.30

• Opens with Krishnan saying, 'It's the morning of Day 3 and…'
• Closes with John Marsden, addiction psychiatrist, saying, '…but what he has to do is live with alcohol, but as a non-drinker.'

In a group, discuss Tony's case so far. Answer the questions included in the downloadable activity sheet and repeated below:

• Why is it difficult to avoid alcohol?
• What advice would you give to a recovering alcoholic to help them avoid alcohol? Come up with 'Ten Top Tips to Avoid Alcohol!'
• What does the doctor tell Tony about his health and his future if he doesn't stop drinking?
• How does Tony feel about what the doctor says?

No sex please!
Clip 2: 10.55 – 16.04

• Opens with Kishnan saying, 'For Sandie, leaving her home and husband of 25 years to enter the clinic was the toughest challenge she'd ever faced.'
• Closes with Sandie's husband saying, 'I'm pleased with her, really, really pleased.'

Listen to Sandie and her husband talk about their relationship, and then discuss the following statements (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in a small group:

• 'Sandie and her husband are too old to be having sex anyway, so what's the problem?'
• 'Sandie's husband shouldn't help her on the toilet – she should have carers if she needs that much help.'
• 'Her husband says she always looks lovely and I think he means it.'
• 'She is stupid for not getting herself off the drugs years ago.'
• 'She is just as bad as a crack cocaine or heroin addict. There's no difference.'
• 'She will never get off the drug completely – she would go to pieces.'
• 'She should have been helped by her GP years ago.'