6 to 10 percent of people will struggle with alcoholic behavior at some point in their lifetimes.

As holiday parties continue to ramp-up this season, so will the number of opportunities to consume alcohol. While most adults over the age of 21 have a general idea of how to safely consume, holidays can pose a greater risk to overindulge.

According to Levy Robert Levy, M.D., assistant professor within the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and staff medical physician at Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center, the dangers of alcohol come when you’ve consumed more than you’ve intended or more than you’re aware of. So, if you’re heading out for a social gathering, Levy recommends a number of precautions to take to help promote safe consumption.

According to Levy, the easiest way to minimize the risk of overconsumption of alcohol is to keep track of the number of drinks consumed.

“In general, depending on a person’s muscle mass, men will metabolize about one drink per hour, and women will metabolize about ¾ a drink per hour,” said Levy. “So if you’re an average-sized male and you’ve only had two drinks over the course of two hours, you’re probably safe to drive. But if you’ve had any more than that you’re liable to be over the legal limit.”

Levy offers the following tips on how to safely consume alcohol:

• Be cognizant of where you’re getting drinks. Never take a drink if it is handed to you by a stranger, and don’t continue drinking your beverage if it tastes funny.
• Beware of the myth of alternating alcoholic beverages with water. The reality is that nothing—not even food, water or coffee—can speed the process of lowering one’s blood alcohol level. If you’ve had three alcoholic drinks and three glasses of water in one hour, that isn’t going to change how much alcohol is in your system.
• If you’re taking a prescription medication, ask your doctor if it is safe to drink. Certain prescribed medications may interfere with alcohol once it enters your body.
• If you’ve planning on over consuming, plan a safe ride home. Designated drivers save lives, so arrange to either get a taxi cab or have a sober driver pick you up.

Spotting—and treating—alcohol addiction

Over consuming alcohol poses many risks and dangers, and one of the biggest is alcohol addiction. Like any addiction, alcohol addiction is a neuro-chemical disease of the brain that has manifested itself both psychologically and also physically. Between 6-10 percent of people will struggle with alcoholic behavior in their lifetimes. If you or someone you know is concerned that a friend or family member may have a drinking problem, Levy points to a few signs to look for in his/her behavior:

• lying about how much they’ve consumed
• sneaking alcohol or hiding it around the house
• missing activities or work due to drinking
• building up a tolerance for alcohol
• unsuccessfully trying to cut down on alcohol use.

There are two primary ways of treating alcoholism: absence therapy and harm reduction therapy. Absence therapy uses a medically supervised detox program to cut alcohol out of everyday use, and harm reduction therapy teaches people not to stop drinking, but to control their consumption.

Levy notes that it is dangerous to stop drinking on your own.

“Quitting without medical support may stimulate symptoms like high blood pressure, seizures, and even death,” said Levy. “If you or someone you know is looking for help, the best approach is to speak with a doctor and figure out a plan that works best for you.”

For those without insurance, Medicaid or Medicare may help cover costs. If not, Levy recommends talking to a doctor at a free clinic; there are medications available that can help with withdrawal and abstinence. Finding free support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs may also be beneficial.

“It’s important to remember that alcoholism is a disease—like cancer and diabetes, it’s not a moral issue or character defect,” says Levy. “But unlike those diseases, alcoholism is treatable.”

-- Emily Jensen