Buzz Kill

Over the course of the last ten years I've been slowly cutting back on my alcohol consumption. I've never been a big drinker, and even in college I limited my beer intake to weekends only. I used to drink for the usual reasons. I enjoyed the buzz, it helped me relax, it gave me courage when I needed it and it allowed me to escape from the "real world" for a little while. As health and fitness became more important in my life I began to notice that the buzz and escape just wasn't necessary any more. I had a party at my house last night and I drank non-alcoholic herbal punch mixed with Pellegrino all night. I'm not here to tell you that you have to stop drinking alcohol altogether, I just want you to look at why you drink and what the consequences are. 

Exercise is my buzz. Being ripped and strong gives me my courage. Cardiovascular exercise brings peace of mind and relaxation. I don't need some elixir or potion to escape anymore. If there's something amiss in my world I get busy conquering it, not escaping from it.            

Here’s some interesting information to help you understand how powerful a drug alcohol is. You make your own conclusions/decisions, I've made mine.

According to the CDC: ( sourced directly from CDC.org)

There are approximately 75,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. This makes excessive alcohol use the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation. In the single year 2003, there were over 2 million hospitalizations and over 4 million emergency room visits for alcohol-related conditions.

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to:

  * Neurological problems including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.

  * Cardiovascular problems including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

  * Psychiatric problems including depression, suicide and anxiety.

  * Social problems including unemployment, lost productivity and family problems.

  * Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, prostate and breast for women. In general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts       of alcohol.

  * Liver diseases including:

     o Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can progress to cirrhosis.

     o Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that prevents this vital organ from functioning properly. This condition often leads to complete liver failure,        and it is among the 15 leading causes of all death in the United States.

     o Alcohol use by those with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause the infection to worsen. Alcohol may also interfere with the medications used to treat HCV.

  * Other gastrointestinal problems including pancreatitis and gastritis.

 MADD reports:

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).

How much is excessive drinking?

Each country has a model or limit, either per day/week or both. The US has broken those limits into categories for men and women, but also makes recommendations for the elderly, young and those who fall into specific emotional or physiological categories. A “drink” is: One 12 ounce beer = 5 ounce glass of wine = 1 1⁄2 shots of 80 proof liquor.

USA: (for men) 4/day; 14/week (@14g = 56g/day, 196g/week) daily USA: (for women) 3/day; 7/week (@14g = 42g/day, 98g/week)

Daily consumption should not exceed 1/7 of the weekly maximum.

Obviously, governmental limits are for reference only. Each person is affected differently by alcohol depending on a wide variety of factors; each person must therefore take the responsibility to find out how alcohol affects them and what their personal limits are.

Misconceptions:

Alcohol is a stimulant. Alcohol, specifically ethanol, is a potent central nervous system depressant. Initially, alcohol can excite certain receptors in the body that react to euphoria, but if consumption continues, it ultimately has a depressive effect. 

Alcohol is fattening. Studies are inconclusive at best, but alcohol itself contains only 7 calories per gram. Some studies show actual weight loss due to increased metabolism while drinking, while others show increased weight gain due to carbohydrate consumption. 

Alcohol can be good for me. (Red wine argument) Alcohol should never be used to enhance a “healthy diet.”

"I’ve only had one drink. I can drive!" Basically all law enforcement recommends “if you drink, do not drive” Everyone reacts to alcohol consumption differently based on how much one has to eat, how fast one consumes the alcohol, how much you weigh and your tolerance to alcohol. There is no way to diminish the effects of alcohol except time. Coffee, water, juice etc. does NOT speed up the process; you simply become a well hydrated drunk.

College students spend more on alcohol than on textbooks. In California, it is estimated that one drunk driving arrest can cost the offender up to $10,000. Not to mention the danger and potential consequences of driving drunk. Job loss, productivity loss, property damage, fines etc. is estimated in the millions every year.

Can alcohol still be a part of your healthy life? It depends you. Does each of us need to give it the respect and consideration it deserves? Definitely! When we reach for a drink we're not thinking about statistics because in that moment we want to relax, escape, have fun, etc., etc. It can be fun in moderation, and disastrous otherwise. 

Simple test:  The next time you have a hang over, consider the damage you have done to your body - it hurts for a reason - then think harder about your specific drinking habits and adjust those habits accordingly. Hell, I'm not a complete bore. I still occasionally enjoy that ice cold beer with a home made plate of pasta and marinara sauce.