Did you know because of the effect alcohol can have on the brain, it is actually considered a drug?
It’s a fact, the more alcohol you drink the more it can reduce your ability to think clearly and slow down your ability to respond, similar to the way other drugs affect the body. Any substance that has that kind of influence on your mind can be dangerous if you’re not careful. Although it is a drug, alcohol is still considered a legal substance – at least for anyone 21 and older. However, as long as it is consumed in moderation, it will not significantly affect a person’s health. The key words here are “in moderation.” The challenge is that many people drink well beyond the recommended 1-2 drinks on an occasional basis.
In a recent study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),16.6 million adults ages 18 and older had an alcohol use disorder which includes binge drinking, excessive drinking, alcohol abuse or addiction. Of that number 65% are men and 35% are women.
There are many dangers associated with excessive drinking, including health problems, disorders, injuries, birth defects or even death, says Laurie Donofrio. Each of these are hidden risks of drinking too much alcohol. Some of these risks and dangers don’t necessarily show symptoms until it’s too late, which makes it hard to reverse or undo the damage. Let’s take a look at common risks and dangers of heavy drinking.
Alcohol Dependence
One of the dangers of drinking too much alcohol is that it can lead to a dependence. A person who has become dependent on alcohol may be able to stop at any time, however, they rely on alcohol to get through stressful times such as grief, trauma or other major life change. In cases like these, alcohol is used as a coping mechanism. The danger of alcohol dependence is it opens the door for binge drinking or heavy drinking.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction is an advanced form of dependence where a person cannot handle day-to-day responsibilities unless they have a drink. Addiction can also include alcohol abuse, where a person purposely drinks too much or binge drinks in short periods of time in order to achieve a certain feeling. A common sign of an addiction is when a person shows withdrawal symptoms such as headache, mood swings or nausea when they are not drinking alcohol.
Alcohol-Related Accidents and Injuries
Take a look at the following statistics from this website that illustrate the risks of accidents and injuries where excessive drinking was a major factor.
The NIAAA reports that excessive drinking has been responsible for:
- 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and homicides;
- 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults;
- 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.
These numbers further emphasize the fact that alcohol is a drug that can limit a person’s ability to think and act as they would when they are sober. Some people who have had too much to drink are so inhibited they don’t even realize they are doing anything wrong. Some don’t even recall what happened after the effects of alcohol wear off.
Alcohol Poisoning
Too much alcohol at one time can cause alcohol poisoning due to overdose. Alcohol poisoning can also happen when a person intentionally or unintentionally takes alcohol with certain drugs or medications that should not be taken with alcohol. Like any drug, an alcohol overdose can lead to the poisoning of the liver, cause shortness of breath, speed up the heart rate, cause the body temperature to spike and even lead to coma or death.
As you can see, there are many dangers and risks of drinking too much alcohol. The NIAAA recommends drinking no more than 1-2 drinks, on an occasional basis, all of which depend on your weight, height, body mass and age. For example, a 35 year old woman who is 120 pounds who drinks one 12 oz. beer will have a blood alcohol content of about .026. However, a 35 year old man who is 210 pounds who drinks the same 12 ounces of beer will have a blood alcohol content of only about .006. This means that everyone’s body is different, and some people can drink more than 2 drinks and be just fine. The best practice is to limit your amount of alcohol intake to 1 drink occasionally – not every day – and stop while you are still sober enough to make the decision to do so.
The Dangers of Excessive Drinking Are Real
We meet with clients everyday who have suffered the consequences of alcohol misuse of alcohol. Our advice is to remember: Concerning your health and wellbeing, keep everything in moderation.
Related: Truck Accidents and Liability in Texas.