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As some might suspect, the holiday season is the most dangerous time of year for alcohol-related accidents and death. There are several reasons for this, including that more people drink during the holidays due to numerous parties and other festivities.
Many holiday drinkers don't drink often, so they have a lower tolerance for alcohol. These people often underestimate their level of impairment and sometimes drive when they shouldn't. When arrested for drunk driving, these people often show a relatively low blood alcohol content yet they are very intoxicated.
Problem drinkers and alcoholics love the holidays because there are more social occasions to drink. They say they feel more "normal" because the occasional drinkers are also more likely to abuse alcohol during this time of year. Consequently, people with alcoholism drink and drive more frequently. Unlike occasional drinkers, they have a high tolerance for alcohol and can consume large amounts before showing effects.
The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous. Add alcohol to this scenario and you have a recipe for disaster.
People can follow these tips to avoid an alcohol-related disaster:
- Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Just because it's there does not require that you drink it. Alcohol is not a necessary ingredient for holiday cheer.
- If you want to serve alcohol to your guests, offer nonalcoholic beverages as well. Make your guests feel as comfortable choosing a nonalcoholic beverage as they would choosing alcohol. You can do this by putting nonalcoholic drinks in an easily accessible place and by asking guests what they would like to drink, instead of pointing them to the bar or handing them an alcoholic drink when they arrive.
- If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to drink alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Drinking and driving is not an option.
- If you are going to drink, be a responsible drinker by deciding ahead of time how many drinks you will have and stick to it. The blood alcohol content chart with this article can help you understand the relationship between blood alcohol content and level of impairment.
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