Students urged to avoid binge drinking during the holidays

Special to the Flash

It’s that time of year again!  The holidays are fast approaching and many students are looking forward to partaking in various activities with their families.  Many of these activities will involve eating, drinking and being merry, but too much of either of these can result in weight gain, injury or even death.

According to Centers for Disease Control , increased pressures from family, numerous parties and financial obligations increase during the holidays and lead many to use alcohol to deal with stress.  However, this behavior can put you, your family and others in danger.

The CDC lists the following negative effects of binge drinking:

• Motor vehicle crashes.
• Violence against others and sexual assaults.
• Risky sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy.
• Alcohol poisoning.
• Babies born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
• Over time, binge drinking can lead to liver disease, certain cancers, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.

Jackson State University give these tips on staying responsible drinking during the holidays.

Corvis Willis, a freshman civil engineering major from Raymond, Miss. said, “I call somebody and tell them to pick me up.”

“If you know that you will be extremely intoxicated, you should have a designated driver,” said Monique Smith, a senior biology/pre-med major from Jackson, Miss. “Don’t think you should drive yourself if you drink past your limits.”

Lawrence Williams,a junior criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss. said, “Drink in a familiar area, and never leave your drink unattended.”
The CDC offers this advice for avoiding the negative effects of alcohol overindulgence:

• Choose not to binge drink and help others not to do it.
• Avoid mixing alcohol with energy drinks, which can mask the depressant effects of alcohol.
• Avoid drinking and driving.
• Avoid purchasing or serving alcohol to children and teenagers.
• Choose not to drink if you are pregnant, or may become pregnant.
• Talk with health care providers about their drinking behavior and request counseling if you drink too much.
• Participate in community efforts to prevent binge drinking.

Those who believe that there is no harm in overindulging during this time should know that according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), deaths from drinking and driving spike around the holidays, with alcohol being blamed for about 52 percent of fatal collisions on Christmas and 57 percent on New Year’s compared to a rate of 41 percent for the entire year. In addition to the more than 1,200 alcohol-related deaths that will occur on the road this holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 25,000 people will be injured.