Binge Drinking Increases Over the
Holiday Season
Christmas
trees, holiday music, presents, feasts, family and, alcohol. Yes, that’s right,
this is the season of alcohol. There are holiday parties, Cheer in the air, and toasts as The
Ball Drops. But, as exciting as all this fun may sound, there is also a
real danger in binge drinking, too. Binge drinking is consuming a lot of
alcohol in a short amount of time. For men, binge drinking is having five or
more alcoholic drinks within a two hour time frame, and for women it is four
drinks in two hours.
As the
holiday season progresses, the binge drinking increases. But why? Binge
drinking increases at the holiday season due to the frequency of festivities,
heightened stress from family, buying presents, and all the other responsibilities
that this season brings.
Binge
drinkers typically do not have alcohol dependency. They go about their day to
day lives often without alcohol but rather they just “let loose” at festivities
or parties. The problem with this scenario is that people who binge drink often
overestimate their abilities. This increases chances of injuries like car
accidents, violence, being a victim of sexual abuse, or engaging in behaviors
that are unsafe, embarrassing or inappropriate leading to regret or loss when
they sober up. And with so many parties this season, there are a lot more opportunities
to misjudge situations. In fact, the
Center for Disease and Control has indicated that binge drinking is the cause
of over 79,000 deaths each year. And, on a less drastic note, binge drinking
increases your chances of engaging in embarrassing behaviors. Who wants to
start the New Year feeling embarrassed at work, at home or with extended family
and friends? Start off the New Year on a
motivated and uplifting foot and enjoy the holidays, just be sure to think
before you binge.
Here are
some tips on how to avoid binge drinking and have a safe holiday season if you
choose to drink:
1. Before you go to a holiday party,
eat. Do not drink on an empty stomach.
2. After each drink, drink a glass of
water.
3. Be sure to take your drink with you
at all times.
4. Pace yourself when drinking. You do
not have to binge.
5. Eat at a holiday party and be
cautious of eating food that has alcohol in it.
6. Have a designated driver if you plan
to drink.
7. Before you go to a holiday party set
your limit up front and stick to it. In fact, try to always have an
accountability partner with you- like friends or a family member. Tell your accountability
partner that you plan to drink and that after 1 drink they need to take your
keys, allow you to spend the night, or call you a cab.
8. If you plan to drink at a holiday
party and are going to the party alone, take a cab there, that way you can’t
make the mistake of driving your car home that night.
9. Remember, you do not have to attend
every party you are invited to. If you don’t want to go, stay home.
10. If you are going to a work related
holiday celebration, beforehand think of the consequences of drinking and
saying or doing something inappropriate. If it’s not worth the risk, limit
yourself to 1 drink at work holiday parties.
Take the
time to enjoy the holidays and your successes from all year. Ring in 2016 with
fun, but also with responsibility and safety. For more tips visit me at www.DrJaimeK.com
Dr. Jaime Kulaga understands the complexities of women’s lives and helps to increase their self-awareness and self-esteem. She is the advocate of the under-appreciated, over-worked and un-fulfilled woman, dedicated to greatly improving and creating a gratifying, enjoyable life... rather than an unfulfilling existence. As the Author and Founder of the SuperWoman’s Guide to Fulfillment, Dr. Jaime has taught and worked with hundreds of women empowering them to discover their own greatness, and in turn, create a loving and gratifying environment for all those in their lives.
Through teaching at the University level, coaching and counseling individuals, couples, and businesses, she educates women, men and families to make better lifestyle decisions, steer the course of their lives, and use practical tools for deeper fulfillment and happiness.Dr. Jaime is a frequent mental health expert on TV and radio and has been featured on Forbes.com, on Maria Shriver's blog, and in Glamour, Self, and Prevention magazines for her expertise in work-life balance and life fulfillment.
No comments:
Post a Comment