Holidays are fun times to share with family and friends. But they’re also known as the deadliest season for accidents and death because of alcohol.
Drinking is a normal part of the holiday season. And yes, heavy drinkers can overindulge but for others, they tend to have a lower alcohol tolerance because for most of the year, they don’t drink much. Holiday parties come around and they decide to join in the merriment. Unfortunately, this can lead to them underestimating their level of impairment and they may decide to drive.
People metabolizes alcohol differently. For the occasional drinker, they can get arrested for drunk driving yet have relatively low blood alcohol. It’s best for everyone to drink in moderation. Health officials define this as one drink per day for women and two drinks for men. One drink equals 5 ounces of wine and 12 ounces of beer.
Partha’s RX
1. If you’re going to drink, have a designated driver
2. Never pressure anyone to drink
3. If you’re hosting a party, be sure to offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and serve food.
4. It takes time to get alcohol out of your blood. Coffee or a cold shower won’t sober you up. Stop drinking long before you leave the party.
Alcohol poisoning is serious and can be deadly. This can happen after consuming 4 to 5 drinks within 2 hours. Symptoms include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, blue-tinged skin and low body temperature. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, get immediate help. And remember, heaving drinking over time can lead to serious health issues like liver damage and heart disease.
