The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 10,076 people were killed by alcohol-impaired drivers in 2013. That's an average of 30 people each day, or one every 51 minutes. There were 400,000 accidents that were traced to excessive alcohol consumption.

Alcohol affects every organ in the body. The liver is the chief metabolizer of alcohol, but it can only handle a small amount at a time. The rest circulates in the body, lowering reaction times, blurring vision and clouding judgement. Age, race, sex, physical fitness, speed of intake and general tolerance determine its effect, among other issues.

It Only Takes a Little

Many people may not realize how little alcohol constitutes a standard drink size. Fourteen grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol is considered a drink, and that amount is found in 12 ounces of beer (5 percent alcohol by volume), five ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol by volume), or 1.5 ounces (a shot of 80-proof alcohol) of rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey or other hard liquor.

Moderate drinking (the recommended dosage according to the textbook, Dietary Guidelines for Americans) defines the limits as one drink per day for women and up to two drinks for men. It’s important to understand that 30 percent of Americans never drink, but that 10 percent may drink 10 drinks per day or more.

We all know that you shouldn’t drive, operate heavy machinery, swim, or handle delicate procedures or equipment when you are consuming alcohol. But there are other things that you shouldn’t do while drinking. Here are a few.