Excessive Drinking in Florida Costs Billions
Added Dangers for Women Who Binge Drink
Posted January 15, 2014 06:55 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL - At least 38 million Americans drink too much, according to a new report from the CDC, and experts say the costs and dangers of binge drinking are especially acute for women.
According to Dr. Jane Maxwell, senior research scientist at the University of Texas, women who pre-party or try to keep up with men with the numbers of drinks they put down the hatch are putting themselves at added risk of chronic health issues such as cirrhosis and cancers, and also for STDs and sexual assault.
"This is a risky combination, particularly if they play drinking games with the guys, like beer pong or some of these others," Maxwell warned. "They're getting their BAC (blood alcohol content) up very high, very quickly, and a lot of times they don't really realize that they are at risk, losing control."
The
CDC report
is
available here
The CDC report notes that only about one in six people
talks to a doctor about drinking, although alcohol
screening and brief counseling could help heavy drinkers
cut their consumption by 25 percent.
In addition to a greater focus by health-care
professionals, Maxwell said, families also need to get
involved.
"When I was growing up, one of the lectures from momma
was, 'Don't get drunk because you might get pregnant,'
she recalled. "When I ask people that I'm lecturing to,
other than the older women, they look at me like I'm
crazy, because mothers don't give that lecture very
often."
Binge drinking is also linked to increased risks for car
crashes, falls, burns and firearms injuries.
Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer/ Graphic:CDC