Alcohol even has health benefits, although the amounts that provide those benefits are far less than most people believe. Still, alcohol in moderation helps minimize the risk of stroke, heart attacks and diabetes. It’s also a social stimulant, making people feel relaxed and friendly. Raising a glass is a time-honored tradition that assures bonding and good times, a practice that’s been around for centuries and available to every race, class, ethnicity and income level.
Yet alcohol also has its dark side, and we’re not even talking about its abuse. It can lead to health problems, serious accidents, harsh words and embarrassing incidents.
Incidents and Accidents
The rate of sexual assault is closely tied to alcohol abuse. A conservative estimate from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a division of the National Health Institute, claims that 25 percent of American women have been sexually assaulted, with half of those incidents involving alcohol consumption by the victim, perpetrator or both.
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.
When and Where to Say When
1) Drinking while depressed – We’ve all heard the phrase “drowning your sorrows” about drinking while in a funk after losing a job, breaking up with a loved one or some other stressor. And there’s something to be said about relaxing and easing anxiety with a drink. But nearly one-third of people who have been diagnosed with major depression has an alcohol problem. Research shows that drinking makes depression worse because people who are in throes of depression tend to drink too much and too often. This can impair judgement and lead to thoughts of suicide or other rash actions. A heavy drinker is also likely to be less affected by antidepressant medication and may overdose, particularly if combining alcohol with the medication.
2) Drinking while pregnant or trying to conceive – Women who are already pregnant can induce fetal alcohol syndrome if they drink at certain stages of the pregnancy, which can affect fetal development and intellectual capacity. For couples who are trying to conceive, alcohol can reduce sperm motility and cause impotence. There’s also the possibility of injury and potentially miscarrying if you are drunk.
3) Drinking at work – A certain way to get fired at most jobs is to drink on the job or show up impaired. Don’t think that a few breath mints will disguise the condition. The florid complexion, watery and bloodshot eyes, and the unsteady gait will be the evidence. In certain occupations, drinking on the job is cause for potential prosecution (such as operating public transportation) or a factor in potential lawsuits (would you want your surgeon drinking?). But general interactions with customers can be sabotaged by poor judgement and performance while under the influence.
4) Chronic illness and drinking – Drinking while taking medication to fight or control certain conditions may decrease its efficacy or cause dangerous interactions. There are some chemotherapy drugs, like procarbazine, that may cause a reaction or be reduced in effectiveness if you are drinking. Alcohol can reduce or even eliminate the effects of medication like antidepressants, heart medications and diabetes drugs.
5) Social Media – It used to be that you would avoid calling an ex-lover while drinking, a term known as “drunk dialing.” But today, it’s equally important to stay away from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media if you’re drinking. Judgement is impaired, and particularly if you have a strong opinion about something political or a personal grudge to settle, taking it to social media while impaired may be a move that can get you fired from your job or ostracized by your friends and family. Not to mention you may not like the selfie you thought was hilarious when you posted it last night at the bar.
There are other things you shouldn’t do while drinking, like play sports, care for children, bathe or cook. There is a time and place for everything, but it’s best to drink moderately and keep it separate from most activities, except sitting and talking. You’ll be glad you did after the fact.