Sobering Facts About Alcohol

Many people all over the world engage in occasional drinking.  Some drink moderately, meaning that they have no more than 2 drinks per day. However, even drinking moderately can have its risks. Even though the consumption of alcohol is legal, we would all do well to remember that alcohol is indeed a drug. That means alcohol can be addicting as well as cause problems in your life and the life of your family. Drinking alcohol should be done with caution. Below are some sobering facts about alcohol that may make you want to give up drinking immediately. 

Driving Drunk 

Nearly 3 out of every 10 people will be involved in a car crash related to alcohol at some point in their lives. More than 15,000 people die every year as a result of drunk driving. It may surprise you to know that while the legal limit for blood alcohol content is .08, it may take a significantly less amount of blood alcohol to impair your driving abilities. Your ability to drive, steer a car and react to the traffic around you can become endangered after just one drink.

A man who weighs roughly 160 pounds can have a blood alcohol level of .04 following just 2 beers. Your judgment can be lacking with a blood alcohol level of just .02.

Alcohol Abuse 

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the United States.  Alcohol abuse is apparent when a person seems to tolerate a large quantity of alcohol without seeming drunk. This high tolerance is an indication that the person is a repeated and heavy drinker and has been for some time. Alcohol abuse is characterized by a person who drinks regardless of the effects the drinking may have on the person’s relationships, work, or responsibilities, and who cannot quit even if they desperately want to and have tried several times. At this point, seeking professional help can break the cycle of addiction.

Health Problems 

Drinking alcohol not only impairs your judgment but it can affect your health as well. Your immune system’s defense is cut down by nearly 70 percent following just 2 drinks.

Additionally, repeatedly drinking too much can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer including esophageal, breast, throat, mouth and bowel over time.

Prolonged drinking can also destroy your liver. Liver disease is a common complication of alcohol abuse and it can lead to death over time.

In addition, a pregnant woman should refrain from consuming any alcohol at all in order to prevent alcohol related birth defects such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It is not known how much alcohol it takes to cause defects, so abstaining from alcohol completely during pregnancy is recommended. Remember, no amount of alcohol has ever been proven to be safe during pregnancy.

Alcohol can also cause infertility in males, so men who would like to become fathers are advised to watch their alcohol intake. 

Death 

Every year, alcohol claims the lives of many individuals. Deaths are not just reserved for drunk driving accidents, but can also involve accidents like falls, drownings, suicides and alcohol poisonings.

Underage drinkers are at an especially high risk for alcohol poisoning. In fact, the amount of alcohol it takes for a person to pass out after drinking is extremely close to the amount of alcohol that can cause death. It is not normal to pass out from drinking and a person who has passed out following drinking needs to be monitored medically.