Do you know what high-risk drinking looks like?

Many people are clueless when it comes to what high-risk drinking looks like and may not even realize they’re binge drinking, report the experts at Caron Treatment Centers. 

In fact, according to Caron’s new holiday survey, many people accept higher-risk drinking at holiday parties despite observing significant consequences of alcohol consumption such as drunk driving, sexual harassment and violence.  

“Alcohol is still the number one cause of damaging behaviour at holiday celebrations throughout the US,” said Dr. Harris Stratyner, PhD, Regional Clinical Vice President of Caron Treatment Centers in New York. “We tend to see an increase in alcohol abuse during the holidays and the findings show that many people have no sense of how much alcohol is healthy to consume or how it impairs them when they go past that low-risk limit. 

“It’s a serious public safety concern when 60% of adults who attend holiday parties witnessed dangerous and even illegal behaviour.”

In fact, misperceptions about alcohol are linked to its affordability, availability and the billions of dollars spent annually on consumer advertising and product placement in television and films, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.  

So what does low-risk drinking look like? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, low-risk drinking is defined as no more than four drinks per day for men and no more than three drinks per day for women. This should not exceed 14 servings for men and seven servings for women in a week. 

Based on Caron’s survey results, many are either unaware of this information or aren’t taking it seriously. Nearly 80 per cent of U.S. adults have attended a workplace holiday party and 93 per cent have attended a family party, according to the survey. 

Many of these adults polled noted that these parties can quickly become booze fests where there’s no shortage of destructive behaviour:

n 60 per cent of those who attended workplace holiday parties have seen someone under the influence of alcohol behave inappropriately. 

n 60 per cent of those who attend family holiday parties also reported that a family member behaved inappropriately after drinking too much alcohol, including relatives who wanted to drive even though they were drunk.

A serious problem

Alcohol abuse during the holiday season may be a sign of a more serious issue. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), one in every 12 US adults suffers from alcohol abuse or dependence, while several million more engage in risky drinking that can lead to serious consequences including alcoholism. 

Alcohol consumption in Bermuda is interwoven in the social tapestry of our society, and alcohol is one of the most commonly used and socially accepted substances within our community.  With the Christmas holidays upon us, we strongly urge adults to engage in low-risk drinking and be aware, in particular, of “binge” drinking which is prevalent among our young people, especially during the festive season. Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance if life is becoming unmanageable as a result of alcohol use or abuse. 

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism may include poor physical coordination, an increase or decrease in appetite or changes in eating habits, bloodshot or watery eyes, consistently dilated pupils and fatigue and speech pattern change. 

Gita Blakeney Saltus, is Caron Treatment Centers, regional vice president for Bermuda.Individuals and families can educate themselves on ways to ensure safer, happier and healthier holiday celebrations. For more information on local on-island resources, visit www.Caron.org/Bermuda or call 441-295-2319.