Basic Facts on Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol invariably distorts an individual’s perceptions & judgment. Under influence of alcohol, people admit that the reaction time is much slower than when not drinking. After consuming alcohol people take many chances which they would never take if they were sober. Most often these chances prove to be fatal.
Risk of drivers being killed under influence of alcohol in a road accident is eleven times more than drivers having no alcohol within the system.
In a given year in the US, death resulting from teenage drunk driving road accidents is about 1,400. This means round-about four deaths per day throughout the year. Motor vehicle accident is one of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers responsible for one in three fatalities.
Out of the total teenage drivers killed in road accidents, an average 31% were found to be consuming alcohol as per figures put out by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For most of us these figures are mere statistics: perhaps shocking, but statistics after all. Not for the families & friends of teenagers who have died as a result of drunk driving. Each one of these drinking & driving is a tragic loss.
How Does Alcohol Consumption Affect Our Body
Consumed alcohol gets absorbed into our bloodstream through small blood vessels lining along the walls of our stomach & the small intestine. Within a few minutes after alcohol consumption it travels from stomach to the brain. Displaying quick reactions alcohol starts slowing the reaction of nerve cells. About 20% of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach to begin with & the remaining 80% gets into the system through the small intestine.
Systemic Reactions to Alcohol
Alcohol eventually carried by blood vessels reaches the liver. Liver eliminates alcohol from blood through a metabolic process converting it into a nontoxic substance. However, liver can only metabolize certain amounts of alcohol at a time while leaving the remaining circulating within our system. Thereby the intensity of alcohol affecting our functional capacity directly depends upon the amount of alcohol consumption.
When amounts of alcohol exceed certain levels in blood our breathing apparatus (respiratory system) is also affected. While markedly slowing down it can cause coma or death as required levels of alcohol no longer reach the brain.
Too Much Alcohol in a Short Space of Time
Binge drinking is generally considered by researchers as consuming eight or more units of alcohol in a single session by men & about six of more units by women. However, this is no fixed standard applying to everyone since tolerance & speed of drinking invariably differs from person to person. It is sensible to keep pace while drinking & avoid consuming more than one is used to. Or in other words, simply avoid getting drunk.
This is all the more important if you are out there in a risky & unfamiliar environment. Facing risk from other & unable to take care of friends, one may lose control what to say or may take unwanted risky decisions. Moreover, binge drinking also increases risk of heart attacks. A drunk state may also be a cause for vomit & which when accidentally breathed into the respiratory organs can end in suffocation.
NHS Recommendations
- Men should avoid regular drinking of more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day
- Women should avoid regular drinking of more than 2-3 units a day
- After a heavy drinking session avoid alcohol for the next 48 hours
“Regular Drinking” here refers to consuming mentioned amounts of alcohol everyday or most of the days in a week. It should be borne in mind that some people, including women, teenagers, youngsters & people with smaller build may experience similar effects even after drinking little amounts of alcohol.
Others who have developed a tolerance for alcohol may not find these effects apply to them. However, consider if it is time to cut back on drinking & seek help if needed.
