Cocktail Safety During the Holidays – An Ounce of Awareness is Worth a Pound of Knowledge

Is that really alcohol? 

Alcoholic beverages have come a long way over the years. They used to have a harsh bitter taste that many found hard to drink. Today, alcohol has many flavors and additives to make them more appealing. Instead of hard bitter vodka, there is marshmallow and cookie dough flavors to help disguise the real essence of pure alcohol. This has resulted in mass appeal and temptation to younger consumers. Some alcoholic beverages don’t even look like alcohol. They have new names, colors and packaging to make them more appealing to those of all ages. A lot of people don’t even realize they are buying an alcoholic beverage due to the misleading packaging. 

Beware of the unsuspecting overdose 

Alcohol overdose has been a concern for parents as many of these alcoholic beverages appeal to younger consumers. These beverages contain higher levels of alcohol which can result in a greater risk of alcohol poisoning. Vodka has a much higher level of alcohol by volume (ABV) then other alcoholic beverages like beer. Flavored alcohol increases the attractiveness and masks the amount of alcohol being consumed until well after the drinker has reached the point of overdose. 

Many U.S. Universities have banned hard alcoholic beverages on campus despite the age of the student. This is in direct result to the number of emergency room admissions of previous years that were related to alcohol.  

Alcoholic Energy Drinks 

Alcoholic energy drinks are a newer trend that pose several health risks. Drinking them can result in alcohol poisoning and caffeine overdose. When the caffeine mixes with the alcohol it can mask the effects of the alcohol which makes it difficult to gauge just how much alcohol has been consumed. Some states have banned the sale of pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks, but bars still serve them by mixing them themselves or the customer mixing them on their own. 

Understand how alcohol affects you 

It is vital to understand what exactly it is you are drinking. It’s not only the size of the drink, but the amount of alcohol it contains. It is important to know your own limits. Understanding that eating before drinking can really help slow the effects of alcohol and reduces the chance of overdose. Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know, or if you are not certain of what and how much alcohol is in it. Monitor the amount of drinks you have. It is a good idea to have a friend with you to look out for you as well, but it is up to you to understand the risks and be responsible when consuming alcohol.