Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Some Sobering Thoughts

Unless you have just parachuted to earth from another planet, you've probably heard plenty of lectures by now (from family members, teachers, counselors, coaches, and others) about the bad things that can result from drinking too much alcohol. 

Chances are you've also heard a lot about binge drinking: how if you're a guy who downs five or more drinks quickly--four or more if you're a woman--you're on the road to nowhere good.

You've probably also heard that heavy drinking increases your chances of having accidents, getting into fights, being sexually assaulted (or assaulting someone else), getting an STD, screwing up in school, having unhealthy children, damaging your own health, and even shortening your life.

But what you probably haven't heard that much about--or if you have, it hasn't really registered--is something more immediate: how people LOOK when they're wasted. 

Think about people you know who have partied too hard.   Even if they didn't do anything disastrous, (like falling down stairs or trying to drive), I'll bet they looked pretty awful, especially as the night went on.  Slurred speech, boozy breath, stained or torn clothes, that disoriented zombie look--could anything be more unattractive?

If you're wondering why I'm going on about this, look at the calendar.  It's April--Alcohol Awareness Month--a moment to ponder the power of alcohol to alter lives.  And with summer parties (where alcohol often flows freely) coming on, it's also a time for people to think before they drink.  

But if you're still skeptical about what too much beer or too many shots can do to a person, check out these short clips, which offer a different take on drinking.  You may never look at a beer the same way again. 




 

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