During the holidays, we tend to take “eat, drink and be merry” to a whole new level. Between family gatherings, company parties and happy hours with your colleagues, it’s easy to overindulge in food and alcohol.
Holiday binge drinking is a common occurrence, and unfortunately, it can lead to trouble.
Lowering our inhibitions
Alcohol plays a big part in our holiday celebrations. So much so that December beer, wine and liquor sales are 37% higher than the average of the previous 11 months. There are multiple reasons why binge drinking surges during the holidays, including:
- We associate the holidays with celebrations, and alcohol is usually part of the festivities
- Friends and family are drinking, making it harder to abstain
- The holidays are stressful for some people and alcohol becomes a way for them to cope
- Eggnog, Tom and Jerry’s and champagne toasts are part of our holiday traditions
Our holiday binge drinking can feel fun and harmless in the moment, but it can have serious long-term consequences. Drinking lowers our inhibitions and clouds our judgment. It makes us more likely to engage in risky behavior. This is compounded by the fact that alcohol also affects our prefrontal cortex, leading to decreased impulse control. Someone who is binge drinking may become very aggressive or overly affectionate.
These factors combine to create dangerous situations. Drunk driving incidents tend to spike during the holiday season. We are also more likely to get into a physical altercation when we’ve been binge drinking. A few holiday drinks with friends can quickly turn into tragedy.
If you’ve had a few too many drinks and find yourself in trouble due to a drunk driving charge or assault stemming from a bar fight, it’s crucial that you work with someone who can review your situation. Having someone to plan your defense strategy and advocate on your behalf is your best chance for spending the holidays with your family and not in jail.
