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As the holidays approach, celebrations often include drinking, but it’s important to avoid binge drinking.
High alcohol levels can disrupt vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature.
As the holiday season with Christmas and New Year festivities come closer, a lot of us indulge in partying and drinking. It’s a joyous occasion, and drinking becomes a part of the festivities. However, it’s important to recognize where to draw the line. Excessive alcohol can quickly turn into binge drinking.
While some may view it as a rare indulgence, social drinking can escalate into harmful patterns with long-lasting consequences. Binge drinking involves consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period, putting immense strain on the body. It can impair brain function and lead to alcohol poisoning, which, in severe cases can be life-threatening.
Reasons For Excessive Drinking At Parties
Often, people resort to binge drinking as a way to relax and socialize at gatherings and parties. It helps them shed their inhibitions and feel more at ease in social settings. For many, drinking becomes a key part of celebrating and enjoying events like ringing in the New Year. For others, it’s their first experience of drinking in a group, leading them to overindulge.
Dr Farah Ingale, Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital in Vashi, discussed in an interview with Hindustan Times how high alcohol levels in the blood can interfere with crucial bodily functions like breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and the gag reflex. She highlighted that this condition causes toxins to build up in the bloodstream, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, confusion, seizures, and respiratory failure, all of which can be life-threatening.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol can result in liver inflammation, a condition referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. In severe cases, this can progress to liver failure and be fatal. Additionally, binge drinking affects cognitive abilities, increasing the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours that can endanger one’s life.
Effects Of Binge Drinking
- Poor motor skills: Drinking too much can make you uncoordinated and cause shaky movements.
- Short attention span: It’s harder to focus or stay alert after drinking heavily.
- Dehydration: Alcohol causes your body to lose more water, leaving you feeling thirsty and drained.
- Sleepiness: Binge drinking often makes you feel extremely tired or sleepy.
- Mood swings: Drinking heavily can lead to feelings of sadness or irritability.
- Low blood pressure: Alcohol can lower blood pressure, making you feel dizzy or weak.
- Slow breathing: Drinking too much can slow down your breathing, which can be dangerous.
- Emotional instability: Besides feeling down, binge drinking can cause anxiety and emotional ups and downs.
Tips To Prevent Binge Drinking
Sumaiya, a clinical dietitian at Fortis Hospital Kalyan, suggested the following measures in an interview with Hindustan Times.
- Set personal limits: Understand how much alcohol is too much and how it can negatively impact your health.
- Track your alcohol intake: Keep count of how much you drink, knowing the standard serving sizes and alcohol content of your preferred beverages.
- Identify your triggers: Avoid situations or people that encourage you to drink excessively.
- Avoid stocking up: Don’t keep too much alcohol at home, as it may tempt you to overindulge.
- Seek support: Have a trusted friend or family member accompany you during social events to help you avoid over-drinking.
- Eat beforehand: Having food in your stomach can reduce the urge to drink excessively, compared to drinking on an empty stomach.
During the holiday season, refrain from keeping beer, liquor, and wine in your kitchen. While it may seem convenient when hosting guests, it also increases the temptation to drink more when you’re by yourself.
Substitutes For Hard Liquor
- Mocktails: Alcohol-free beverages that replicate the taste of cocktails with a variety of flavours and decorative garnishes.
- Virgin Bloody Mary/Pina Colada: These classic drinks without alcohol still offer the original flavours.
- Non-alcoholic cider, wine, or beer: These drinks are infused with botanical blends and herbal extracts for a unique twist.
- Club soda with lime: A refreshing, fizzy beverage with a zesty lime kick.
- Kombucha: A slightly sparkling, fermented tea that offers a tangy, healthy alternative.
