Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year's or all of the above, you're bound to be faced with cocktails this season. While a drink now and then won't kill you, it could potentially threaten the life of some one else if you drink and drive.We'd like to shed some light on alcohol this month (both good and bad) in honor of Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month. Remember to always drink responsibly. Cheers!

1. Moderation: drinking in moderation means consuming just 1 drink or less per day for women and 2 drinks or less per day for men. Drinking more than 4 at a time within 2-3 hours for women or 5 or more for men in the same time frame is considered binge drinking.
2. Serving size: a serving (or 1 drink) means 1.5 oz. 100 proof hard liquor, 1.5 oz 80 proof liquor, 4 oz wine or 12 oz beer (light included)
3. Heart health: moderate drinking as defined above, may help reduce the risk for heart disease by increasing HDL ("healthy" cholesterol). Heavy drinking increases the risk of heart disease by raising triglyceride levels and blood pressure.
4. Alcohol and pregnancy: no amount of alcohol has been deemed safe during pregnancy. Think of morning sickness as a blessing to turn your taste buds away from beer, wine and liquor.
5. Alcohol and driving: No, nothing has changed here. No amount of alcohol is safe to consume before getting behind the wheel. Enjoy your favorite soda, bottled water or other beverage when you're the designated driver.
6. Drinking and gallbladder disease: This may surprise you, but moderate drinking can lower your risk of gallstones. Who knew?
7. Cancer and alcohol: there is an increased risk for several types of alcohol-related cancers including mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and stomach. In addition, alcohol (even in moderation) also raises risk for breast cancer.
8. Diabetes risk and alcohol: Score one for alcohol here. Moderate drinking may reduce the risk for diabetes. Exercise also cuts risk.
9. Longevity: moderate drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. Drinking moderately reduces the risk of death by any cause by 18% compared to not drinking.
10. Curbing the hangover: If you do overdo the booze this holiday season, don't reach for acetaminophen or aspirin. Mixing acetaminophen and alcohol can damage your liver and aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as naproxen or ibuprofen) may increase the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. Your best bet – drink 2 large glasses of water and have a slice of toast before bed. Water will help re-hydrate you and help prevent the "brain shrink" from alcohol. The toast will help absorb some of the alcohol and coat your stomach lining.

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