by: Robert Regler
A new year is approaching. Children will be going back to school, adults are going back to work, and the holidays are unwinding. However, before that happens, we all have New Years Eve to look forward to. Ushering in a new year is a tradition that most people celebrate, and many look forward to this every year. Typically, people get together and celebrate with friends and these get together will more than likely have alcohol involved. Unfortunately for some, their alcohol use becomes too much and negative consequences can happen. Before you go to a party, there are several factors that should be considered.
New Year’s Day has the highest amount of alcohol related deaths within the calendar year. Binge drinking is common occurrence on New Year’s Eve and is most common among those between the ages of 18 to 34. When someone binge drinks, this can lead to a magnitude of problems, but the main one is alcohol poisoning. As a result, this increases the amount of emergency room visits. Emergency room visits tend to increase by 50 percent around the holidays and New Year’s Eve plays a large role. Most of these visits are due to alcohol poisoning, but also occur due to motor vehicle accidents.
Before you make your plans this New Years, there are several things you should consider. If you are invited to a party, make sure the sole focus is not on drinking. New Years is an opportunity to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the year coming to an end. While alcohol can be present, it should not be the sole focus of the event. Also, if you are going somewhere, make sure you have a designated driver or some way to ensure you will not get behind the wheel.
If you somehow end up at a party where there is heavy drinking, it could be beneficial to know the signs of alcohol poisoning so proper help can be called before it is too late. When one experiences alcohol poisoning, they typically exhibit signs of confusion and delirium. In addition, their rate of breathing will become abnormal and typically vomiting will occur. Also, the individual may pass out due to the strain the alcohol has placed on their body. These are just some of the symptoms one may exhibit if they have alcohol poisoning and at the end of the day it is up to us as individuals to stay safe this new year.
The Southwest Council, Inc. provides free presentations on various topics, for both parents, community members and for schools. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011 or visit us online at www.southwestcouncil.org.
Resources:
https://sunrisehouse.com/stop-drinking-alcohol/new-years-eve-statistics/
https://www.narconon.org/blog/drug-addiction/10-tips-for-a-drug-and-alcohol-free-new-year/
