The Holidays & Excessive Alcohol Use

From drinks with friends to work-related parties, it may seem like alcohol and the holidays go hand in hand.

Unfortunately, while drinking unlimited amounts of holiday-themed drinks may seem like a great idea for a fun time, excessive drinking can turn quickly turn your night out upside down.

Excessive drinking can lead to foolish decision-making, injuries, fights, domestic violence, and even death. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 79,000 deaths occur annually as a direct result of excessive alcohol use; and, they are not all driving-related.

If you're someone who isn't used to coming home from work and slinging back a few glasses of wine to temper your day, or if you rarely drink, you may not know your alcohol tolerance.

Obvious signs of someone who is impaired are the slurring of the speech, loss of motor function, slowed reaction times, and lowered reasoning ability.

And, if you're on certain medications, you could be increasing your risk of experiencing health complications, many of which can be extremely dangerous.

What else do you need to know about drinking and the holidays?

Dr. Preeti Jois discusses why drinking increases during the holiday season, the dangers associated with excessive drinking and how you can protect yourself (and your liver) throughout the holiday season.