Christmas drinks
As New Year’s Eve approaches most people are more concerned about what they’ll be wearing, where they’ll be going – perhaps even who they’ll be kissing as the clock strikes 12 – rather than how much they’ll be drinking. However, amidst the excitement and revelry that comes with seeing in the New Year, lies the risks of binge drinking.
Dr Claire George, laboratory director at a leading drug and alcohol testing company, Concateno, explains why it is important that people are aware of the short and long term effects of heavy drinking and offers tips for celebrating safely this New Year:
Dangerous drinking
Binge drinking is defined as drinking more than eight units of alcohol in a day (about three pints of strong beer) for men and more than six units (equivalent to two large glasses of wine) for women. The statistics surrounding binge drinking do not make pleasant reading:
- Nearly a third (29%) of alcohol related deaths are a result of alcohol related accidents and alcohol is also a factor in one in three sexual offences and burglaries
- Prolonged heavy drinking makes you two to five times more likely to develop cancer of the throat or mouth; up to ten times more likely to develop cirrhosis of the liver; and causes women to have a 50 per cent greater risk of developing breast cancer than a non-drinker
- Overdosing on alcohol can stop you breathing, stop your heart, or cause asphyxiation by choking on vomit
Damage limitation
Here are some simple steps to ensure you and fellow partygoers remember New Year’s Eve 2012 for all the right reasons:
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Square meal
Ensure you have eaten properly before you begin to drink alcohol; drinking on an empty stomach increases the speed at which alcohol enters the blood stream and hastens intoxication -
Homeward bound
Plan your journey home – whether by cab or public transport - in advance. This will remove any temptation to drink drive or walk alone late at night
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Avoid having an open bar
Hosting a party with an open bar encourages guests to drink the night away and means they don’t have to think about how much they are drinking – a recipe for disaster.
Everyone wants to make the most of all the festive season has to offer – being aware of the dangers and following a few simple steps will ensure it doesn’t come at a high price.
Dr Claire George, laboratory director, Concateno
Tagged in Alcohol Health Healthy Body