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Extreme Drinking |
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Extreme Drinking! A Dangerous Way to Party
Extreme drinking. Binge drinking. Getting wasted, smashed or totalled. There is a big difference between drinking to socialize and drinking to get drunk. Extreme drinking puts you at risk for more than simple embarrassment; it can lead to injuries and alcohol overdose.
Alcohol's Impact
The effects of alcohol depend on factors such as:
- your size, your gender
- the amount you drink
- how fast you drink
- how much food you have eaten
- whether or not you are stressed or over-tired
It takes the body approximately one hour to metabolize one standard drink of alcohol for the average male, and even longer for most females. Alcohol affects your thinking, decision-making, and behaviour.
Extreme drinking may increase your risk for:
- losing self-control e.g. urinating or vomiting in public places, humiliating yourself or others
- being sexually assaulted because you lose your ability to protect yourself
- making "stupid" decisions e.g. swapping dates, driving while impaired, being coerced into making decisions that you later regret
- being legally responsible or liable if you host or organize a social event and there are injuries
Alcohol Overdose
If you are dealing with someone who has passed out, don't leave the person alone in the hopes that he/she will sleep it off. Extreme drinking means drinking more than the body can handle, which puts a person at risk of alcohol overdose (poisoning).
- Signs of alcohol overdose:
- cannot be roused with a pinch or loud noise
- cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- breathing is slow and irregular
- vomiting while asleep
- turn the person onto his/her left side - this helps to prevent choking if vomiting occurs
- call 911 immediately if there are any signs of alcohol overdose. The person needs medical monitoring and attention!
Resources
Extreme Drinking Factsheet (PDF)
Extreme Drinking Brochure (PDF)
Extreme Drinking Poster (PDF)
Last updated September 2009
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