Drinking alcohol can cause problems not only for the person drinking but also for the people around them. In 2022, for example, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the U.S. That’s about 37 people a day or one person every 39 minutes. A person’s drinking can also lead to a variety of alcohol-induced violent – and sometimes deadly – behavior towards other people, including homicide, sexual violence and intimate partner violence.
If you choose to drink alcohol, there are ways to lower your risk of experiencing harmful alcohol-related effects which will help keep you and the people around you safe. Let’s learn about some of them.
Examples of Strategies to Lower Your Risk
Understanding the Risks: The first step to lowering your risk is knowing what problems alcohol can cause. These include health issues like liver or heart disease, depression and anxiety, social problems like fights with friends or financial problems like losing a job.
Drinking Less: One of the best ways to lower your risk of problems from alcohol is to drink moderately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that moderate drinking is up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
Staying Away from Risky Situations: Try to avoid situations where people might drink too much. This could be at parties, bars or other venues where alcohol is common. The risk of overdosing can be greater in these settings because alcohol is readily available. An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate and temperature control—begin to shut down.
Doing Healthy Activities Instead: Try to replace drinking with healthier activities such as, like playing sports, doing hobbies, volunteering or spending time with family and friends without alcohol.
Helping Others: If you know someone who is having trouble with alcohol, encourage them to get help. There are many places they can go for help, like counseling or support groups.
If you or someone you know is having trouble with alcohol, don’t be afraid to get help for yourself or others.
Resources
If you need help to quit or limit your drinking, the Department of Defense provides screenings to help identify what type of support you need and what treatment would work best for you. They offer inpatient, partial inpatient and outpatient treatment options.
Military OneSource
Support for Military Personnel & Families | Military OneSource is a DoD supported service offering 24/7 confidential support and are specialized in helping military members, families and veterans. Services are provided CONUS and OCONUS via call-in, live chat and text on their website and mobile app.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
You may also call the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free and confidential treatment referral and information service (provided in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.