The holiday season is often seen as a time for gratitude, family traditions, and taking a break from the fast pace of daily life, but in recent years, a growing trend has cast a shadow over the start of the holidays with the night before Thanksgiving, now widely known as Blackout Wednesday.
As families prepare their holiday feasts and traditions, college students and young adults returning home for the holidays gather at packed bars to reconnect over a night of drinking. Gathering or having a drink isn’t the issue on its own, it is when the behavior is paired with binge drinking and driving under the influence, the risks escalate quickly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). These numbers rise even more during the holidays, when alcohol use tends to spike. Driving under the influence isn’t the only concern when it comes to “binge drinking”. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to alcohol poisoning, physical altercations, development of anxiety disorders and depression, as well as progression toward alcohol dependence or addiction.
Below are some helpful tips to stay safe and support others:
- Plan ahead. Set up a designated driver or schedule an Uber/Lyft pick-up, and stay with a group of trusted friends.
- Stay Hydrated. Since alcohol dehydrates you, alternate between alcoholic drinks and water to stay hydrated.
- Weigh the real cost: A ride might cost $30+, but a DUI can cost thousands, result in jail time, or worse for yourself or someone else.
If you feel that you are struggling with alcohol consumption this holiday season, know that there is help available. Please visit UPMC.com for more details on seeking treatment and other alcohol related issues.