Even When Drinking Stops – Alcohol ’ s Effects Do Not Stop
It is easy to misjudge how long alcohol ’ s effects last . Sobering up doesn ’ t happen immediately after stopping drinking , even if coffee is involved , a common myth . The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished and can last for hours depending on how much alcohol was drank . And while drinking caffeine may help with drowsiness , it does not reduce poor decision making and coordination . The fact is the body needs time to metabolize and break down the alcohol and there is no way to speed up the process . Coordination needed for common tasks such as driving is compromised long before you show signs of being under the influence . There ’ s no way to make good decisions when you are intoxicated .
Even though it ’ s the holiday season , if your interaction with alcohol has been problematic , it ’ s not too early to start thinking about the new year , a time when many people begin to focus on their health and positive life changes . Changing behaviors can be challenging , especially those that are unhealthy . Behaviors are strengthened through repetition , so the more you engage in alternatives to drinking , the easier it should become to cut down or skip the alcohol . Before You Celebrate – Plan Ahead Know your limits - experts urge you to keep your personal goals in the forefront of your mind during the holiday season when deciding to drink and how much . Does the use of alcohol bring you closer to people or push you away from them ? If health , happiness , and connection with others is your goal , do you think alcohol will help you achieve that goal ? If it doesn ’ t , then reaching for another drink is only going to move you away from your desired outcome .
Understand your reasons for binge drinking : Is this an event that happens only occasionally when friends get together or does it happen when you can ’ t seem to handle situations , events , or feelings ?
Be honest with yourself . Know the difference between enjoying alcohol and overdoing it .
Be on the lookout for patterns . If you overindulge occasionally that is certainly different than every weekend , every ball game , or any occasion when you drink .
If drinking has occupied a lot of your time , or you ’ ve used it to cope with problems or manage moods , then seek other , healthy activities or ways to deal with those areas of life . Avoid triggers that make you drink even when you don ’ t want to . And , if you are hosting a holiday gathering : Offer a variety of nonalcoholic drinks – water , juices , sparkling sodas . Nonalcoholic drinks can aid in hydration and the sugar and calories can aid in slowing the rate of alcohol absorption and reduce the peak alcohol concentration in the blood . They also provide guests with an alternative to alcohol .
Provide a variety of healthy foods and snacks . Food can slow the absorption of alcohol and reduce the peak level of alcohol in the body .
Help your guests get home safely . Anyone getting behind the wheel of a car should not have had any alcohol .
Also , keep in mind that some people should not drink alcohol for any reason , including women who are pregnant or individuals under the age of 21- the legal drinking age in the United States . If you are a parent , understand the underage drinking laws – and set a good example .
The Adanta Group wishes you a happy and safe holiday season . If you find yourself overcome with the stress of the holidays or feel like your alcohol usage is out of control , we are here to help . Call your local clinic for screening and to discuss treatment options .
Adanta Community Mental Health Center is Ready to Help !
If you are searching for help or would like more information about services , call toll free 1.800.954.4782 x 0 , visit Adanta ’ s website at www . adanta . org , or Adanta ’ s Facebook page at www . facebook . com / The . Adanta . Group .
Adanta has been serving the Lake Cumberland area since 1967 , delivering quality services to meet the needs of the people served . “ Enhancing Lives ” is the Purpose of the organization and serves as the beacon for being a great community partner and resource through its services , programs , outreach , and presence in the Lake Cumberland and surrounding counties . **
Adanta is CARF accredited in Adult , Child , & Adolescent Outpatient Treatment ; Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs ; Adult Mental Health Crisis Intervention and Crisis Stabilization ; and Adult , Child , and Adolescent Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs ; and Prevention .
** Outpatient Clinics are located in the counties of Adair , Barren , Casey , Clinton , Green , McCreary , Pulaski , Russell , Taylor , and Wayne .
The Adanta Group , a contractor with the Department for Behavioral
Health , Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services , provides behavioral health / substance use services with state and federal funds .
The Adanta Group
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December 2022 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 35