Drinking has become a big part of social gatherings such as parties, birthday celebrations, reunions, or an office dinner. A party is not complete without alcohol. A night of fun and merriment may be exciting. However, when drunk driving is involved, the fun and excitement stop.
4 million drunk drivers are reported to be guilty of drunk driving at least once a year. Drunk driving claimed 10,497 victims in 2016. Those who are drinking and driving must be aware that they are not only endangering themselves but also other people.
Drunk Driving and Your Health
Many are not aware of the negative impacts of alcohol on the body. Drunk drivers seem to forget how alcohol can cause adverse effects on the body in the long run. Nights of binge drinking can cause several parts of your body to develop long-term diseases such as:
- Liver diseases. The liver is responsible for neutralizing the toxic substances that enter the body. Therefore, it’s the primary organ that is affected when you consume too much alcohol. If you fail to protect your liver, you may develop:
- Fatty liver. This medical condition happens when fats form inside the liver cells. 90% of heavy alcohol drinkers can develop a fatty liver. It is often asymptomatic and curable as long as it is detected early.
- Liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a more severe liver disease. Drinking too much can cause the liver to be inflamed. As a result, the liver cells usually die and are replaced with permanent scar tissues. This condition is irreversible, and if it gets worse, you may need a liver transplant.
- Alcohol and your brain. Alcohol can also have adverse effects on your brain. Too much drinking can cause you to experience blackouts and memory loss. You may also find it difficult to think clearly. Your focus and vision are also affected that’s why it’s impossible to concentrate on the road when you’re drunk
- Alcohol and depression are linked together because of how each one of them affects the other. People with depression start to binge drink because they want to feel relaxed and happy for a while. People can also develop depression when they abuse alcohol.
- Other diseases. Drinking can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Too much alcohol can lead to blood clots due to platelets sticking together. This condition may lead to a stroke or a heart attack. Drinking may also cause high blood pressure and kidney problems.
Driving and alcohol don’t mix well with each other. If a driver is drunk driving, there is a high risk of getting into an accident. Drunk driving doesn’t only affect the lives of other people but also your own life and your health. A few hours of binge drinking can make you feel happy and relaxed; however, once the alcohol really kicks in, you might be exposing yourself to the risk of getting into a vehicular accident. If you need legal advice regarding the matter, don’t hesitate to click here.
