What's it going to take? READ FULLY PLEASE!

Hi All, After reading Keith's post this am I have been in tears off and on some of this am/pm. I am SO thankful he is still here. It brings to mind last September for me. Several of us went out for some drinks and dancing. I am told I drunk a LOT of drinks...the counts vary. I ended up becoming extremely ill and somehow stumbled to the bathroom and began puking in then basically had to be carried out by friends. I spent what I remember of the car trip stopping to dry heave several times as I'd had so much to drink and basically 1/2 a taco for dinner. I had to be carried into someones apartment where I was NOT coherent and COMPLETEY blacked out. There were TONS of tears and from what I understand they tried to wake me up several times and get me to drink etc. It was AWFUL for them I'm sure. I will tell you what I don't care WHO believes what but I am telling ya'll I checked outta here and I saw people who have long since passed away and we talked about many things and I saw some awesome things that were so dang real to me. I remember feeling a jolt of force as if to say "you don't belong here" and like that I was forced back here and when I came to I thought a friend of mine was literally my grandmother because that is who I last spoke to. K seriously she passed in 1990 so it's NOT possible it was her. Anyhow, I COULD HAVE DIED. But, I didn't. I'm still here. I scared the hell out of my friends and come to find out my father and hubs kept calling but they turned my cell off because they didn't know what to do/say. So I also scared the hell out of my family too. To realize I could have died and that I have a hubs and 2 girls here that need me not to mention family and friends who give a crap as well. WTH was I thinking? There is NO reason to have drunk as much as I did. Although at the time I didn't care about myself (obviously), others or anything for that matter. I just know the drinks were ALL that mattered. I have soul searched and am still on that mission and have realized that MANY of us have turned to liquor/alcohol and in my opinion it's seems as if it's a replacement for food. It gives us that temporary feeling of fitting in, belonging, feeling good etc. I have watched several of us get so drunk we make fools of ourselves and make choices that are not real smart etc. The January Conference was a REAL eye opener. I people watched and saw some just lose control. I am SO scared and worried for many of us. I am praying So hard about this all the time. I'm not judging cause obviously I've been there but we need to realize the seriousness of this before something more serious than what I and Keith went through happens. So, what's it going to take? Is it going to take one of us dying from alcohol poisoning, choking on our own vomit, liver infections, liver failure etc? Is it going to take an accident leaving one of us with injuries that can't be fixed? I hope this sounds dramatic and scary cause it IS. I really hope others read this and realize 2 of us have come SO close who's next? What's next? There is a reason I am still here and I intend on doing what it takes to make others realize the affects of alcohol on us in general and especially those who've had WLS. Below I've put several things which I hope ya'll read with seriousness and pay great attention to. Hugs-Kat Precautions When Using Alcohol after Bariatric Surgery A 36-year old female gastric bypass patient left a party after having only two alcoholic beverages, drove her car into oncoming traffic, causing the death of a 12-year old child*. Her blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for the operation of a motor vehicle and was far higher than would have been expected from the two alcoholic beverages she claimed to have consumed. Was the patient telling the truth about the amount of alcohol she drank at the party or did her surgery affect the way her body absorbed or metabolized the alcohol? A recent study reported in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that the gastric bypass procedure significantly affects alcohol absorption and its inebriating influence. According to the study protocol, a group of gastric bypass patients, three years post-surgery, and their non-surgical controls consumed an alcoholic drink containing 20% v/v alcohol (95% ethanol), and blood alcohol levels were examined over a period of time. The data showed that blood alcohol levels of the gastric bypass patients were far higher and required much less time to peak than those of the non-surgical controls. The more rapid absorption of alcohol and heightened blood alcohol levels would cause the bariatric patient to have a more pronounced feeling of inebriation during and shortly after drinking. And, such effects could have serious ramifications with regard to driving an automobile or performing other skilled tasks such as operating heavy machinery, piloting a plane or any other task that may influence the safety of the individual or that of others. Why would alcohol absorption be higher for someone who has had gastric bypass (or any other surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses the upper portion of the gut)? With the gastric bypass procedure, 95% of the stomach and the upper gut (duodenum and a portion of the jejunum) are bypassed. Alcohol passes directly from the stomach pouch, usually without restriction, into the second portion of the gut, known as the jejunum. This portion of the gut has a large surface area and readily and rapidly absorbs the alcohol. In addition to anatomical changes in the GI tract that influence alcohol absorption, the gastric bypass patient (or any bariatric patient) may also be more sensitive to the intoxicating effects of alcohol because of the reduced calorie intake that occurs after surgery. A number of studies have found that alcohol absorption is far higher if fasting or when consumed on an empty stomach than if provided with a meal or drank soon thereafter. During the first several months following gastric bypass or any other bariatric surgical procedure, total daily calorie intake is quite low. Drinking alcohol, even small amounts, at this time, would increase significantly an individual's risk for intoxication. In the rapid weight loss period following bariatric surgery, alcohol consumption could have far more serious consequences than inebriation, namely brain damage, coma and death. How is this possible? Muscle, heart, liver and other tissues use fat and sugar (glucose) for fuel. The brain, however, requires sugar (glucose) to function. To avoid low sugar, the body stores sugar in the form of glycogen. However, glycogen stores can be depleted in a short period of time with prolonged work or exercise, starvation or a diet low in carbohydrate. When this happens, the body has two back-ups mechanisms that help to provide the brain and nervous system the sugar required to function. One of the mechanisms whereby sugar is produced is a process called gluconeogenesis, a chemical pathway that converts certain components of protein, lactic acid and other substances into sugar. Fat cannot be converted into sugar. However, the production of sugar by gluconeogenesis is run by energy produced by the incomplete breakdown of fat into ketone bodies via a process known as ketosis. Ketone bodies can be used by all tissues, including the brain, for fuel. And, ketones can also be converted into sugar via gluconeogenesis. In this way, the brain and nervous system can function normally, even during times of low calorie intake, such as during the rapid weight loss period following bariatric surgery. The production of ketones is what causes the sweet or distinct smell in the urine and on the breaths of bariatric patients during the rapid weight loss period after surgery. And, during this time, it is extremely important that alcohol NOT be consumed. Why? Alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis and ketosis. This means the brain and nerves are depleted of the fuel needed to function. The consequences of such fuel depletion initially are disorientation, confusion, semi-consciousness, coma and, ultimately, death. The detrimental effects of alcohol on the brain's fuel supply can also cause accidents, such as the hypothetical situation described below. A bariatric patient, four weeks after surgery, had a couple of drinks and drove to the post office. But, instead of walking into the post office to get her mail, she drove her car through the front window. She claimed to have 'blacked out' before the accident and had no memory of the event. People standing by said she was disoriented and, presumably, intoxicated. Fortunately, someone provided her a beverage containing sugar that helped her to regain full consciousness, preventing coma or even death, as well as an evening in jail. Drinking alcohol in the early postoperative period may have other adverse effects on health. Frequent vomiting, low calorie intake, not taking multivitamins and malabsorption may cause a number of vitamin and mineral deficits, including thiamin. Alcohol further reduces the absorption of thiamin, causing severe deficits and a condition known as Beriberi (see May 2003 issue of Beyond Change). Beriberi, in turn, may cause congestive heart failure, nerve damage, muscle cramping and pain, crippling, brain damage, a loss of memory and inability to learn, confusion, disorientation, coma and death. Addiction transfer is yet another precaution to be considered with regard to alcohol. The prevalence of food addiction and associated eating abnormalities, i.e. binge eating, carbohydrate cravings, are high among individuals with morbid obesity. With bariatric surgery, the addictive tendencies for food and aberrant eating behavior are considerably improved. However, individuals with addictions often transfer their addiction to yet another substance, such as alcohol. According to the findings of one study, addiction transfer may occur in up to 25% of bariatric patients. Drinking alcohol after surgery may also reduce maximal weight loss success. Alcohol has no nutrient benefits and contains high numbers of calories that may cause weight gain or prevent weight loss. One 12-ounce can of beer, for instance, contains 150 calories; 3.5 ounces of wine contains 70 calories; 1.5 ounces of gin, rum, vodka or whiskey contains between 97 and 124 calories; and 1.5 ounces of liqueur contains 160 calories. Based on all the information provided above, should the bariatric patient abstain from alcohol totally? The bariatric patient should absolutely NOT drink alcohol during the rapid weight loss period and definitely not if consuming no or low carbohydrates, not taking vitamin and mineral supplements, vomiting frequently, or not able to keep their food down. However, with time, there is no reason an individual should not be able to enjoy an occasional drink, provided they are aware that it only takes a small amount of alcohol to produce an inebriating effect. With such knowledge, appropriate precautions should be taken, such as waiting a sufficient length of time after drinking to drive or perform other skilled tasks. *the ages of the individuals involved in the accident described and some details have been changed so that those involved may remain anonymous Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D., is the Director of Research for The Obesity Wellness Center National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Alcohol and Public Health 1. What is alcohol? Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is a psychoactive drug found in beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. 2. What does alcohol do to the body? Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine, passes into the bloodstream, and is then widely distributed throughout the body. The effects of alcohol on the body are directly related to the amount consumed. In small amounts, alcohol can have a relaxing effect. Adverse effects of alcohol, can include impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and unsteady gait (i.e., difficulty walking); When consumed rapidly and in large amounts, alcohol can also result in coma and death. In addition, alcohol can interact with a number of prescription and non-prescription medications in ways that can intensify the effect of alcohol, of the medications themselves, or both. Furthermore, alcohol use by pregnant women can cause serious damage to the developing fetus. 3. What is a Standard Drink? A standard drink is one 12 ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5 ounce shot of distilled spirits. Each of these drinks contains about half an ounce of alcohol. 4. Is beer or wine safer to drink than hard liquor? No. One 12 ounce beer has about the same amount of alcohol as one 5 ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5 ounce shot of liquor. 5. What is moderate drinking? Based on current dietary guidelines, moderate drinking for women is defined as an average of 1 drink or less per day. Moderate drinking for men is defined as an average of 2 drinks or less per day (USDA, 2000). 6. What is heavy drinking? Heavy drinking is consuming alcohol in excess of 1 drink per day on average for women and greater than 2 drinks per day on average for men (NIAAA, 2004). 7. What is binge drinking? Binge drinking is generally defined as having 5 or more drinks on one occasion, meaning in a row or within a short period of time (Naimi, 2003). However, among women, binge drinking is often defined as having 4 or more drinks on one occasion (NIAAA, 2004) (Wechsler, 1998). This lower cut-point is used for women because women are generally of smaller stature than men, and absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men do. 8. What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol use despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial (ASAM, 2001). 9. What is alcohol abuse? Alcohol abuse is characterized by recurrent alcohol-related problems, including problems with relationships, job performance, or both; the use of alcohol in hazardous situations (e.g., while driving a car); or some combination of these (DSM IV, 1994). 10. Why are some people more sensitive to alcohol than others? Individual reactions to alcohol can vary greatly, and may be influenced by many factors, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, physical condition, the amount of food eaten before drinking, the use of drugs or medicines, family history of alcohol problems, and many other factors as well. Therefore, while drinking guidelines and definitions of drinking patterns can be very helpful in identifying risky patterns of alcohol use, personal decisions about whether to drink, and if so, when and how much, should take into account these individual factors as well. 11. What does it mean to drink too much? A person may be said to be "drinking too much" or engaging in "excessive drinking" if they exceed either the guidelines for daily alcohol consumption, or the guidelines for average daily alcohol consumption. Among men, excessive drinking may be defined as more than 4 drinks per day, or an average of more than 2 drinks per day over a 7 or 30 day period. Among women, excessive drinking may be defined as more than 3 drinks per day, or an average of more than 1 drink per day over a 7- or 30- day period (NIAAA, 2004). However, current guidelines specify that certain individuals (e.g., youth under age 21 years, pregnant women, and persons recovering from alcoholism) should not drink at all. Among these individuals, any alcohol consumption may be too much. In addition, anyone who chooses to drink should be aware that individual reactions to alcohol can vary greatly. Therefore, when in doubt about whether it's appropriate to drink, and if so, how much, it is always best to consult one's own personal physician. 12. What does it mean to get drunk? Drunkenness or alcohol intoxication is caused by an overdose of alcohol. However, the number of drinks that an individual needs to consume to get drunk varies based on a number of factors, including age, gender, physical condition, and the amount of food eaten before drinking, the use of drugs or medicines, and many other factors. However, binge drinking (i.e., for a man, consuming 5 or more drinks per occasion, and for a woman, consuming 4 or more drinks per occasion) typically results in intoxication. 13. What does it mean to be above the legal limit for drinking? The "legal limit for drinking" is the alcohol level above which an individual is subject to legal penalties (e.g., loss of a driver's license). Typically, this alcohol level is measured in blood or breath, using either a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer, respectively. Legal limits are defined by a government entity (e.g., state legislature or regulatory agency), and are specific to the situation that a person is in (e.g., driving a car) as well as the characteristics of the person themselves (e.g., their age). For example, in most states, the current legal limit for operating a motor vehicle is 0.08%, or 80 mg/dL among drivers who are age 21 years or older. However, there is zero tolerance for drivers who are under age 21 years, meaning that they are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any alcohol in their system. In contrast, the legal limit is 0.04% or 40 mg/dL for commercial truck drivers. Different legal limits also apply to airline pilots, bus drivers, and to persons operating recreational watercraft. However, it is important to recognize that the legal limit does not define a level below which it is safe to operate a vehicle or engage in some other activity rather, the legal limit is intended to define a level at or above which an individual is subject to legal action under a specific set of cir****tances. Therefore, decisions about the appropriate level of alcohol consumption in a particular situation should begin with a careful assessment of whether it's appropriate to be drinking at all. 14. What are common health effects of drinking too much? Excessive drinking, including binge and heavy drinking, has numerous chronic (long-term) and acute (short-term) health effects. Chronic health consequences of excessive drinking can include liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells); pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); various cancers, including cancer of the liver, mouth, throat, larynx (the voice box), and esophagus; high blood pressure; and psychological disorders. Acute health consequences of excessive drinking can include motor vehicle injuries, falls, domestic violence, rape, and child abuse (Naimi, 2003). 15. How do I know if it's ok to drink? The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that if you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, you do so in moderation (see definition of moderate drinking). However, these guidelines also specify that there are some people who should not drink alcoholic beverages at all. These people include: *Children and adolescents. *Individuals of any age who cannot restrict their drinking to moderate levels. *Women who may become pregnant or who are pregnant. *Individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery, or take part in other activities that requires attention, skill, or coordination. *Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol. *Therefore, when in doubt about whether it's appropriate to drink, and if so, how much, it is always best to consult one's own personal physician. 16. How do I know if I have a drinking problem? Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, it is important that you consult your personal physician. Questionnaires and other tools can be useful to screen for drinking problems. Additional information on screening for alcohol problems may be obtained from the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Practitioner HelpingPatients.htm#step1A). References American Society of Addiction Medicine http://www.asam.org/ppol/Definition%20of%20Alcoholism.htm* accessed April 21, 2004. 2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C., 1994. Naimi T, Brewer B, Mokdad A, Serdula M, Denny C, Marks J. Binge Drinking Among U.S. Adults. JAMA 2003;289:70-5. 4. NIAAA. Helping patients with alcohol problems: A health practitioners guide http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Practitioner/ HelpingPatients.htm#step1A accessed April 6, 2004. U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Newsletter, No. 3. Winter, 2003. 6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Agriculture. Nutrition and your health: dietary guidelines for Americans. 5th ed. Home and Gardening Bulletin No. 232. Washington D.C: U.S Government Printing Office; 2000. Wechsler H, Austin SB. Binge drinking: The five/four measure. J Stud Alcohol 1998;59:122-124. 8. Wechsler H, Nelson TF. Binge drinking and the American college student: what's five drinks? Psy-chol Addict Behav 2001;15:287-291. * Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link. Today in the U.S.: Over 40,000 people die on the highways each year. About half of the fatalities involve alcohol. Each year, drinking and driving results in: Millions of arrests Hundreds of thousands of serious injuries Tens of billions of dollars in alcohol related costs And remember - drinking is illegal for people under the age of 21 in all states. Many people don't drink. About 50% of the population does not drink. Common uses of alcohol are: with a meal (wine), for social drinking, as part of a celebration, such as a wedding. People that contribute to the drinking problem are heavy drinkers, social drinkers, and people who drink moderately but still feel that they are competent to drive. Heavy drinkers are people who have an addiction to alcohol, and frequently drive while under the influence constantly. Social drinkers are people who are usually responsibly when drinking, but at one time, may drink just "one drink too many" and in this time, they decide to drive, and the results can be disastrous. For people who drink "moderately", they forget that alcohol affects judgment and they insist they can drive perfectly fine, even though they are impaired by alcohol. Chemical dependency is.... Chronic: A chronic disease progresses slowly, is constant and lasts for a long period of time. Other chronic diseases include diabetes, heart disease, emphysema and arthritis. Because of the disease's slow and subtle nature, the dependent and people close to him/her may not be aware of the disease. Progressive: the disease of chemical dependency is relentless and persistent. Gone unchecked, the chemically dependent person moves from an early stage where the substance appears helpful and seductive to an uncontrollable craving. In the late stages of the disease, the dependent's body starts to give up. Many physical problems arise. the dependent's mental, emotional, and spiritual strength is zapped. Because the disease is progressive, the dependent's condition becomes increasingly more severe over time eventually fatal: If the chemically dependent person continues to abuse his or her substance, the addiction will eventually lead to death. *Death due to liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and lung failure. *Death due to overdose. *Death due to suicide. *Death due to auto, water, or fire accidents. How it works When you consume alcohol, 20 percent of it immediately passes through your stomach walls into the bloodstream. The remaining 80 percent goes to the small intestine where it slowly finds its way into your blood. The body is designed to eliminate approximately one-half ounce of alcohol per hour (equivalent to one mixed drink, one beer, or one glass of wine). If the average person drinks more rapidly, the alcohol content in the blood increases and the intoxicating effects of the drug are experienced. Invasion of the body Once alcohol enters the bloodstream, it enters all of your body's organs within minutes. This is due to the small and simple molecular structure of alcohol, which allows it to pass easily through cell membranes. Parts it affects... Brain Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Based on how much you drink and how often, alcohol causes both temporary and permanent brain injury. Areas affected include memory, problem solving, judgment, behavior, insight, understanding of pain and pleasure, coordination, and regulation of all body systems. Liver Alcohol causes three types of liver injury when used over time. Fatty liver disease is 100 percent reversible when abstinence from alcohol and with appropriate diet and vitamins. Alcoholic hepatitis is a serious form of alcoholic liver disease in which part of the liver dies and is replaced with scar tissue. When alcoholic hepatitis goes on over a period of time, increasing death of liver tissue takes place. Cirrhosis occurs when liver tissue dies and is replaced with scar tissue. Progression of cirrhosis over time results in death from liver failure. A Summary of Statistics Drink Driving is not an accident; it is a violent crime -- the most frequently committed in the Nation today. Every 26 minutes someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol-related car crash. In 1991, 19,900 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes and approximately 318,000 persons suffered injuries, an average of one personally every 1.5 minutes -- 84,000 of these were serious injuries. Based on current statistics, about 2 in every 5 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. Traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death for every age between the ages of 5 and 32. 48% of these crashes are alcohol-related. Even at BACs as low as .02% (one drink), alcohol affects driving ability and crash likelihood. The proportion of fatal crashes that are alcohol-related is about 3 times greater at night than during the day. Direct costs of alcohol-related fatalities are estimated to be $46 billion yearly. An additional $102 billion is lost in quality of life due to these crashes. Numerous research studies indicate that use of lap and shoulder safety belts reduce the risk of fatal or serious injury by a factor of 40 to 55%. In 1991, 102 driver and/or passengers were killed in alcohol-related crashes on Long Island. In addition, 24 pedestrians died as a result of alcohol-related crashes; 20 of whom were themselves intoxicated. Since MADD's inception in 1980, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by about 28.9%. The proportion of drivers aged 15-20 involved in fatal crashes who were intoxicated dropped from 31% in 1982 to 20% in 1991. A SUMMARY OF STATISTICS ON ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASHES PROVIDED BY NHTSA, THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY, AND THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL. Some alcohol enters the blood stream through the stomach walls. Most of the alcohol enters the bloodstream through the Small intestine. One in the bloodstream, the alcohol travels to the heart and then the brain where it interferes with thinking, coordination, and judgment. It keeps circulating and most of it ends up in the liver which removes it from the bloodstream. The liver can process only a little bit of alcohol at a time. When someone's drinks faster than the liver can remove it from the bloodstream they become intoxicated. Negative Effects on Health Your mental and physical health will be seriously damaged if you repeatedly drink. Physical effects: Liver disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, weak muscles and bones, damaged heart, Cancer, brain damage Mental and psychological effects: Depression, hallucinating, blackouts (forgetting what happened while you were drinking), Loss of problem solving abilities. Alcohol Impairs Driving Excess alcohol in the bloodstream affects brain functions that involve driving judgment. Alcohol affects your perception. Reckless chances result from overconfidence. Coordination: Your reaction time and ability to carry out a number of tasks at one time decreases. Vision: Pupil reaction, depth perception and peripheral vision are all required to drive. Alcohol decreases each of these. A 1 1/2-oz. shot of whiskey (80 proof) contains the same amount of alcohol as a 12-oz. beer, a 5-oz. glass of wine, or a 12-oz. wine cooler. Combining alcohol and other drugs (or combining alcohol) causes an increase in the fluid accumulation in the lungs and can lead to chronic lung infections. Heart Alcohol causes disturbances in the heart rate and rhythm. If other types of heart disease are present such as hardening of the arteries, the risk of coronary heart disease is greatly increased. Also, in a small percentage of alcoholics, a permanent and progressive disease called cardiomyopathy occurs. Over time, this disease of the heart muscle leads to death from heart failure. Pancreas The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin and the release of chemical enzymes responsible for digestion. Alcohol is the major cause of acute inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. This can become a chronic disease resulting in increasing death of the pancreas and increasing dysfunction and poor health. Kidneys When a person is drinking his or her urinary function increases. With changes in drinking, the body tends to accumulate water. This is not due to disease of the kidneys, but is caused by a change in the hormone aldosterone, that regulates water in the body. Never mix: Alcohol and tranquilizers These substances are both depressants. They slow down thinking, breathing and heartbeat. Taken in combination, alcohol intensifies the effects of tranquilizers, possibly causing coma or death. Alcohol and marijuana Studies show that the combined use of alcohol and marijuana is more hazardous than using either substance alone. Alcohol and antihistamines when antihistamines are added to alcohol, the effects of the alcohol may sharply increase. Alcohol is a major killer on our roads. About one-half of all traffic deaths are alcohol related. Learning about alcohol's effects on the mind and body could prevent you from making a fatal error -- drinking and driving! Effects of alcohol: Poor judgment: Alcohol acts like an anesthetic, dulling areas of the brain that enable people to make sensible decisions. Slowed reaction time: Drinking slows reflexes and hinders coordination. Drivers who can't react quickly are a hazard to themselves and others. Loss of concentration: Drinking may cause drowsiness. When alertness decreases, the chances of having an accident increase. Visual problems: Alcohol can cause double or multiple vision and blurring. It also reduces peripheral vision, making it difficult to see vehicles approaching from the right. Risks of Alcohol: People fail to recognize alcohol's handicapping effects. Some drinkers mistakenly think that alcohol improves their driving ability. People foolishly believe that coffee, a cold shower, exercise or fresh air can sober them up. Time is the only way to sober up. Some people lack experience as drivers. The result may be unpredictable driving behavior when they are drunk, possibly leading to tragedy. People don't realize that beer and wine are just as potent as hard liquor. 12 oz. of beer, 5 ozs. of wine and 1.5 ozs. of 80-proof liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. Nationwide, about 25,000 lives could be saved each year if people didn't drink and drive. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the body and mind. Just one drink is enough to result in serious consequences. When you drink, some of the alcohol is absorbed into the blood through the stomach, but most is absorbed through the small intestine. Once in the blood, it travels to many parts of the body, including the heart, brain, and liver. The liver functions to remove alcohol from the bloodstream, but it can only eliminate a certain amount of alcohol per hour. When someone drinks alcohol at a faster rate than their liver can eliminate the alcohol, problems arise. As the alcohol level in the blood increases, intoxication occurs, leading to alcohol poisoning, respiratory failure, and eventually coma and death. When the brain is affected by alcohol, thinking, coordination, and judgment are altered, which can lead to dangerous consequences. All of these effects contribute to the many dangerous consequences of alcohol abuse, including driving while intoxicated, as well as using other drugs, and doing activities that you would normally avoid. Pregnant women should not drink at all, as any amount of alcohol can cause birth defects. Also, young people who use alcohol are more likely to experiment with other drugs, because their ability to make decisions will be diminished. Also, using alcohol while abusing other drugs can increase the risk of an overdose. School performance is also affected by alcohol abuse, and on the job injuries, as well as violence can result from the abuse of alcohol. Alcohol causes many emotional, physical, and sexual problems. It can prevent young people from developing good judgment, it can add stress, and it can cause low self esteem. In addition, alcohol interferes with growth, and disrupts athletic ability by slowing coordination and reflexes. Alcohol lowers the body's immune system also. Next, alcohol can interfere in your sex life, by interfering in your ability to choose wisely. It increases risk for sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, pregnancy, and it can lower self esteem.

OMG, Sunshine, I am so glad you posted this...especially after Keith's post this morning. I drink much more than I should since all the garbage I have been through this past 4 months. Yes, this scared the hell outta me. No more heavy drinking for me. Maybe and occasional one but that is all. I think that we see it as a way to "check out" from reality but after reading this, I don't want to "check out" for life. Thanks for caring enough to step on some toes...mine included...Thank you so much. I love you. Betsy

Hey Bets, Girl trust me I am so not innocent when it comes to drinking and I had cut it back big time. However, after reading Keith's post this am I think that it's time to seriously cut it out all together. It's not worth all I have to lose. I am so scared for some of us and they KNOW who they are and I just hope this message reaches them and hits them hard as it hit me. ya Kat

Thanks, Hon...You are a real sweetie to put this out there. We are so careful with our health and this is one thing that could really do some damage to us. Hugs, Betsy

Thanks, Kat. I do worry about folks and especially when drinking is involved. I haven't ventured into alcohol since surgery...heck since probably Christmas of 2004. I'm not a holier than thou type... it just hasn't been important to me, if that makes sense. And actually with a suspected ulcer it is probably the last thing I need. Thanks for caring so much about everyone. Your message, as always, was very heartfelt. Hugs, Kathy

Hi Kathy, Welcome. Me too. I am very scared/worried right now about some. I will just keep praying and hope that they come to their senses. It's replacing food with something worse. You are right, it just isn't important to me anymore either. Thanks for your response. It is appreciated. Hugs, Kat

Thanks, Kat. I don't drink at all. Haven't had more than a bottle of O3 since I found out I was pregnant in Sept. 2003, and nothing at all since my surgery in August 2005. My mother, though,....has turned to alcohol and like most of her family, is very alcoholic. Her oldest brother is wasting away due to alcoholism; her oldest sister died from alcoholism (cancer in her liver and lungs) even though she gave it up for 2 yrs before her death; her youngest brother is now going through surgery to repair blood vessels in his neck due to his alcoholism (he drinks a 12 pack a night). Her two youngest sisters are only half sisters and neither of them drink at all, but my mother does, all the time. She says "I'm not an alcoholic. All I drink is two, maybe three a night." *sigh* My sister is just as bad. But they are both stubborn and refuse to listen. At least my mother is aware enough that she won't drive if she's been drinking, but my sister is seriously going to kill someone, if not herself, one day. My mother had her surgery in 1995 so I know the alcohol was an addiction that came out afterwards (I was there and saw it happening). It's one of the reasons I've completely avoided it. It's so sad to know that something so inocuous as a glass of alcohol can be so deadly. Hugs and thanks again, Tonya

Hi Tonya, I know a thing or 2 about alcoholics as well. In fact, although it isn't something I've shared with many people, the man I dated before Trey (Stephen) drank heavily. We had "moments" where I should have said SEE YA but instead because of my nature I thought I could help him stop drinking. He was quite a different man when he didn't drink. I cared for him so much. We ended up splitting up and not speaking after an altercation in which police, the courts and such were involved. After having gone for a lovely trip to the ER and getting fixed up I was asked by the ER doc if I'd considered the real possibility of 2 things. 1st this man cannot/does not want to be helped and 2nd I am 17 year old do I really want to visit the ER again only have it be worse the next time? I knew the answer to both. In any event he would continue calling me, coming to my job, coming to my parents house in the middle of the night for which police were regularly called to have him leave etc. We stopped speaking for a few months. I got a call from him in January of the following year (2 or so months after things had calmed down) and went to see him. He was sober and we talked for a few hours and it was one of the best convos we ever had. Sadly, 2 days later he died having choked on his own vomit after passing out from drinking WAY too much. I was really upset but at the same time came to realize the path he choose/was headed on only led to that very thing happening to him. So you see, I have experience personally (myself) and through others I've been close to. God I hope others really heed warnings and pay attention. Thanks for you response and I will pray for you and your family. I know it can't be easy. Take care! Hugs, Kat

Hi Miss Kitty, you are such a caring person!! I wish I knew you better. It's obvious you have a loving heart and I like to be with people like you. Thank you for taking the time to write this message. Thankfully this is not an area that I have issues with, but I am so sympathetic to those that do. Thanks! love to you! donna

Hey Pretty Lady, Thank you for your kind words. Awww we will keep talking and such no worries. Getting to know one another is the fun part! I am thankful for the responses I'm getting. I hope to reach other people. I really don't want to wake up one morning and find out someone has been seriously injured or passed away because of this or anything else that can be prevented. I'm no saint but I will put my message out here especially when I can speak to it directly from my life. I will keep praying. Kat