Bartlett Regional | HouseCalls | Summer 2016

www.bartletthospital.org 11 WHEN A LOVED ONE HAS A PROBLEM It hurts when someone you care about has a drinking problem. A few things to keep in mind if you find yourself in that situation: w w Don’t make excuses or ignore it—the sooner you talk about it, the better. Prepare by reading up on alcohol abuse. w w Pick a time to talk when your loved one isn’t drinking. Try not to lecture or threaten. w w Offer to take your loved one to treatments or support meetings. w w Ask family and friends for help. And ask them to support you too. For more ideas on how to start a conversation, visit www.ncadd.org . Sources: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.; U.S. National Library of Medicine Toxic overload One of the most serious consequences of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning, or alcohol overdose. The condition can happen if you drink so much in a short amount of time that the alcohol amount in your bloodstream reaches dangerous levels. Such a high blood alcohol concentration can dampen the body’s vital nervous and respiratory systems to the point of passing out. A person with alcohol poisoning may lose consciousness or appear half-asleep. The person may also: w w Have slow or irregular breathing. w w Vomit. w w Have cold or pale skin. Alcohol poisoning is potentially fatal. Some people end up with permanent brain damage. So if you see someone with any of these signs, seek medical help right away. Play it safe It’s important to be aware of binge drinking’s potential consequences. And help is available if you’re concerned about your drinking. Sources: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism hurts drinking COUNTING THE COST Drinking is expensive—both for individuals and society as a whole. $249 billion That’s how much excessive drinking costs the U.S. It works out to $807 per person, based on 2010 figures. of the cost is due to binge drinking— more than $190 billion. $2.05 The per-drink cost to the U.S . Taxpayer hangover $2 $5 paid by local, state and federal governments. Where the $$$ goes w w Lost work productivity. w w Alcohol-related health problems. w w Crime. w w Motor vehicle crashes. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 77 % out of every