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We’ve talked a lot about Alcohol Awareness this month. We’ve challenged you to drink less, or to go a day without drinking. Whether the previous challenges or advice have been followed or not, there are times when we simply should not drink. This may be because of ethical or moral issues, or because of health or safety reasons, or because of the potential risk of alcoholism.
Moral Reasons
When prohibited. This one is just common sense. If you are not supposed to be drinking because you are too young, or because you are sitting in the nondrinking section of the baseball park, don’t. Don’t drink when you are at work and are on company time. Courtesy and common sense should tell us that we should wait until a more appropriate time for alcohol.
Around alcoholics. Some people question this one and may say we can do whatever we want, but wisdom helps us see the struggle we may cause by drinking around a recovering alcoholic. A supportive friend should be able to control themselves and not flaunt drinking in front of someone who has quit.
Health and Safety Reasons
When on medication. Many medications interact poorly with alcohol. You are asking for trouble in the form of mental or physical side effects if you combine the two.
When pregnant. Every year 40,000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Alcohol and pregnancy just don’t mix. Be responsible. Protect your baby. Don’t drink.
When responsible for others. Parents, babysitters, or caretakers should be responsible enough to not drink when they are caring for others. Too much alcohol means skewed judgment, and too many children have been injured because an impaired adult abused them or allowed them to do something unsafe.
When driving. The most common devastating effect of drinking is drunk driving. If you are going out to drink, don’t drive. Get a designated driver, take the bus, or walk. It’s not worth the risk to get behind the wheel, eve if you think you are ok.
Risk of Alcoholism
Family history. Someone with a family history of alcoholism may choose to never drink. These people should at least be very careful about what and how much they drink, to decrease the already high risk of alcoholism.
Addictive personality. Even if your father wasn’t an alcoholic, if you have an addictive personality, you will be more likely to develop alcoholism. Don’t even give it a chance; curb your drinking now.
Stressed out. Many addicts start out by drinking alcohol to relieve stress. This is dangerous behavior, because it can quickly become a crutch that the person keeps going back to, until finally, they are dependent on the alcohol.
