Drink less, stress less?
Anyone can drink a lot. It takes real talent to drink less. Or not at all.
You know what I’m talking about. Go to a party and the host offers drinks. You say no and “are you sure?” “No, really, are you sure?”
Teens and college students especially feel pressure to drink just like their friends. Legal or not.
People who work in office or other formal settings often end of the week with a pop. C’mon let’s go! Just one!
And of course, there are always the heavy-duty George Thorogood types who “drink alone”.
At the same time, a growing number of folks now turn their backs on drinking if not entirely, then at least for a week, a month or perhaps more. People ditch the booze for many reasons these days:
- Many developed excessive drinking habits during the stay-at-home days of the pandemic.
- Certain medications require abstinence. Medicines requiring no drinking or very little drinking include but are not limited to blood pressure and depression prescriptions as well as certain cancer treatments.
- People may know someone who faced dire consequences following a drunk driving arrest. Heavy fines, loss of license, and an expensive, lengthy alcohol awareness class rudely awake those arrested for drunk driving. More details on this below.
But before we get to negative realities stemming from drinking and driving:
Positive benefits for those who drink less even if only temporarily
Studies indicate reducing alcohol intake brings immediate health benefits and long term gain.
“Instead of public health people wagging their fingers and saying ‘don’t drink, it’s bad for you,’ people do it and say, ‘I didn’t realize how much stopping drinking will improve their sleep, or their concentration, or even just their levels of energy in the morning.”
The benefits of ‘Dry January’ last longer than a month, studies show – Washington Post
One study done in the UK found people who quit drinking just for one month enjoyed the following benefits:
- Weight loss
- Better Sleep
- Boosted mood and energy levels
As for the negatives, the research indicates:
- Not drinking lowers the risk of cancer. Growing medical evidence indicates that heavy drinking increases the risk not only of heart disease but also raises the likelihood of many types of cancer.
- Long term drinking causes weight gain. Alcoholic drinks have empty calories which cause weight gain. Think about this: An average can of beer has approximately 154 calories. Mixed drinks are usually much worse, especially considering sugars and carbs in the additives. A mojito, by example can have 250 calories.
- Alcohol is not good for your skin and also can disrupt your sleep.
Drunk Driving Penalties
Drunk driving penalties vary from state to state. Massachusetts and New Hampshire impose different but fairly representative penalties for first-time drunk driving convictions:
New Hampshire First DWI
- Fine of $500 to $1,200
- License loss of 90 days to 9 months
- Mandatory substance abuse screening
- State approved Impaired Driver Education Program
- Possible requirement of ignition interlock device
Massachusetts First DWI
- Fine of $500 to $5,000
- Add to above: $250 “head injury” fund and “victim fee” of $50
- 1 year license suspension
- Possible 2 ½ years imprisonment waived under an “alternate disposition”
- Driver alcohol education program
These are penalties for a first-time offense. People facing these charges coming to my office often express shock and surprise at how harsh these appear. In addition to the above, count on higher car insurance rates for a number of years. Don’t even ask about penalties for a second conviction. Hint: bring your toothbrush.
Stress less, drink less
People are ditching the booze for many reasons these days. Reasons include health benefits. You’ll feel better the next day, with no hangover or feeling sluggish. Some studies claim that that certain wine, red wine, has health benefits. But red grapes and other foods offer the same benefits.
“You don’t have to identify as an alcoholic to reconsider your drinking habits”
Weareraisingthebar.com
At the same time as all of the health benefits of reducing alcohol consumption come practical considerations. You go to a bar or restaurant and have one or two and you wonder. Driving after drinking brings not only the major life changing specter of a drunk driving stop but also the possibility of causing an accident. Without drinking you enjoy a worry-free drive home. After drinking you’re on pins and needles worrying about flashing blue lights and causing an accident.
This blog has always encouraged those who are in accidents as a result of someone else’s negligence to put up their antenna. Make observations. Is the at-fault driver avoiding contact? Are they asking not to call police? Do they smell of alcohol or exhibit other outward signs of intoxication? They might also show signs of drug use. Scroll down for a link to our article on what to do after an accident.
Take all of the above into consideration. We all need to stress less. Sometimes if we drink less, only for a time, longer or more, all of the benefits will add up to better health, peace of mind and less stress.
Author Andrew D. Myers has pursued personal injury cases in New Hampshire and Massachusetts for over 25 years.
If you have a case you’d like to talk to us about whether it’s a personal injury case, a car accident case, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, slip and fall or other injury please contact us through the “leave a reply” box below, or the “schedule a consultation” tab on the upper right hand of this page. You may also call us on one of the telephone numbers at the very top of this page.
Photo Credits
Model: Chelsea West
Drinks: East Derry Tavern, Derry, NH
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