Many of us look forward to celebrations at this time of year, and for some, it’s an opportunity to kick back and relax with a couple of alcoholic beverages. However, drinking beyond one’s limits can have adverse consequences, such as fights, motor vehicle accidents, and in some cases leading to depression and in worst-case scenarios, fatalities.
Immediate effects
The specific effects of alcohol on each individual will vary; but it’s impossible to make good decisions when you’re intoxicated, and there’s no way to sober up quickly.
Initially, drinking may make you feel happy and excited, but it decreases inhibitions and leads to reckless, sometimes dangerous decisions such as drunk driving, or unprotected sex, followed by severe slumps in mood.
As more alcohol is consumed, reaction times get slower and behaviour becomes poorly controlled, sometimes even aggressive—leading to fights and other types of violence.
Alcohol, both over time and after a single incident of binge drinking, can damage the heart, leading to strokes, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats called “holiday heart syndrome,” which can cause heart attacks, even in the young and healthy.
Your immune system also takes a knock. Even one night of drinking a little too much can affect your body’s ability to fight infections, for up to 24 hours.
Continued drinking can also lead to blackouts, alcohol poisoning accompanied by severe vomiting, liver damage, and at even higher levels, can stop vital life functions.
Don’t be fooled
Many think that if they stop drinking and have a cup of coffee, they will sober up and be able to drive safely. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink. It enters the bloodstream from the stomach, causing unnecessary risks to your health and personal safety for hours.
Plan ahead
Don’t underestimate the effects of alcohol indulgence this holiday season. If you decide to drink, stick to a limit (one or two drinks), and make sure you don’t drive or swim under the influence.
If you feel that you or a family member have a drinking problem, please call LifeAssist to talk to a counsellor. Let us help you.