The upcoming holidays often offer opportunities for many people here in Anguilla to abuse alcohol. Anytime anyone abuses alcohol there are many negative consequences. These consequences can leave us more than holiday stress, but a lifetime of heartache.

Alcohol consumption during the holidays
The many parties and other social activities for the holiday season often lead to increase alcohol consumption by adults and sadly adolescents as well. If you consume alcohol beverages it is important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful.
Generally most adults who do not have any alcohol-related disorders can use moderate amounts of alcohol with few side effects. For men this often means two drinks per day and for women one drink per day. Individuals younger than the legal drinking age should not consume alcohol.
Pregnant women, or women trying to get pregnant, should not drink alcohol beverages at all and if they do, should do so in moderation. Alcohol consumption interferes with growth and development of the developing fetus causing, among other things, reduced birth weight, birth defects, learning and behavioural disorders.

Drinking and driving
It is important to remind readers that no one should drink and drive, or use heavy machinery. At parties all of us must recognize individuals who are drunk or under the influence of alcohol and should make all necessary steps to ensure that they do not drive. Calling a taxi or taking that person home (only if you are not drinking alcohol) could be the best thing you can do for that person. Alcohol impairs your ability to react, causes drowsiness and affects judgment. A large number of fatal vehicle crashes in Anguilla are associated with alcohol use.

Alcoholism
The Christmas season is often a difficult and challenging time for people in recovery from an alcohol-related disorder. These individuals should avoid alcohol beverages even if pressured to do so. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause a relapse. Individuals with a family history of alcoholism or a prior history of alcohol abuse are at an increased risk of alcoholism.
Most of us might not be aware of the symptoms of alcoholism. Alcoholism may include the following symptoms:
• Craving for alcoholic drinks (a strong need or urge to drink)
• Loss of control (not being able to stop once drinking has begun)
• Physical dependence - withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and shakiness.
• Tolerance - the need to drink greater amounts to get “high” or experience an altered state of mind.
If you or your loved one have symptoms suggestive of alcoholism please see your doctor or a support group like Alcoholism Anonymous (AA) which is now active in Anguilla.

Adolescents and alcohol
More and more adolescents in Anguilla are abusing alcohol. The social pressures of the holiday season often result in more adolescents having effects of alcohol abuse. In addition to the health effects of alcoholism, many adolescents drink and drive. They often drive with other adolescents who often are not in a position to help them. Many boys often associate fast driving with masculinity and this can have deadly consequences.
Adolescents, by virtue of their age, are not yet capable of spotting hazardous situations or controlling a car especially when driving fast. MRI-based research suggests that poor driving among teens may be linked to a lack of maturity in parts of the brain responsible for planning, impulse control and decision-making. These areas in the brain’s prefrontal cortex are thought to develop fully by the early to mid 20’s.

Conclusion
As the holiday season approaches with its many social activities let us be mindful of the need to avoid abusing alcohol. We can enjoy ourselves without abusing alcohol! Abusing alcohol can have serious consequences. Some may not be very serious but others can be deadly. For those individuals who need to consume alcohol beverages, please do so in an appropriate way.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News