The Dangerous Correlation between Drinking and Serious Injury
Alcohol can affect the brain in several ways. Alcohol is a depressant that can slow reaction time making it less likely that you can respond to potential harm. This means that the more you drink the more likely you are to have an alcohol-related accident. The time it takes your body to react in a critical situation could mean the difference between life and death, for instance if you are operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Preventing alcohol-related accidents begins with avoiding situations that are likely to cause harm to yourself or others. You should never operate heavy machinery, including a vehicle, after drinking. You should also avoid rigorous activity that may require you to have quick reaction time.
Another affect that alcohol can have on the brain is that it may make you more likely to take unnecessary risks. You have probably heard the term “liquid courage,” where people use alcohol to lower their inhibitions in uncomfortable situations like performing karaoke or participating in a dance-off. Large amounts of alcohol can lower your inhibitions enough to cause serious harm because of an unnecessary risk like jumping from a roof or jaywalking across a busy street.
It is crucial that alcohol is used in moderation and for many people, abstained from completely. Alcohol affects nearly every aspect of your coordination and reaction time as well as your judgement and reasoning. The effects of alcohol can be dangerous, even deadly. Eliminating the risk of alcohol-related accidents begins with making smart choices. Foremost, it is imperative that you do not drink and drive. Driving under the influence not only puts you and your passengers at risk but also every other driver on the road. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH) “1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries including motor vehicle crashes every year.” The more you know about how alcohol can affect your body, the better you can decide if drinking is worth the risk.