Alcohol caused this!

Here's just some of the alcohol related violence and injuries I have seen so far this year in the emergency department:

* 24 Year old guy with ruptured spleen and broken back when he fell off a balcony * 15 year old girl who downed 3/4 bottle of vodka - intubated / ventilated & went to intensive care * 24 year old severe facial lacs from 'glassing' injuries to face * Aspiration pneumonia from inhaling own vomit - intensive care * broken legs / arms / knee's / back's / ankles / necks from alcohol related fights, car crashes, falls etc * women victims of domestic violence * many many head injuries, neck injuries, lacerations to faces / heads / hands & arms, knife wounds, fractured skulls, broken noses... * the list goes on...

So, why does this continue to happen every day of the week?

"It's those youngsters and their binge drinking....!"

- not true, how bout the all too common 30 year old mother who drinks 1-2 bottles wine most days?

Tonight for instance, I saw a 44 year old man with abdo pain (and alcohol issues) who was slurring and staggering, and then proceeded to wet his pants & yell at the emergency staff - delightful.

How about the 62 year old man vomiting red wine all over himself? Or a 16 year old girl so intoxicated that jamming a thumb and forefinger into her trapezius muscle elicits no response at all.

I've been yelled at so many times to "get this stupid thing off me, you &$^$%!!!" (drunk person wanting the hard collar removed - possibly the only thing keeping their broken neck stable). Often drunk people can't control any bodily functions, and think that its ok to pee, use their bowels, and vomit all over the place...

Are these just extreme examples of people who can't handle their liquor? Hardly...

Are you someone who drinks too much? Have you had family members / friends or people you know with alcohol issues? When have you had enough to drink? Making responsible drinking choices not only benefits you and your health, but it also sets a good example for your friends, your partner, your kids.

Think it's too late to change your ways? Not so. Drinking alcohol in moderation is not the problem - it's excessive drinking and poor choices that leads to all kinds of disasters.

From the Drug and Alcohol Services site ( ):

Intoxication is the most common cause of alcohol-related problems, leading to injuries and premature deaths. Alcohol is responsible for:

* 30% of road accidents * 44% of fire injuries * 34% of falls and drownings * 16% of child abuse cases * 12% of suicides * 10% of industrial accidents

As well as deaths, short-term effects of alcohol result in illness and loss of work productivity (e.g. hangovers, drink driving offenses). In addition, alcohol contributes to criminal behaviour - in Australia over 70% of prisoners convicted of violent assaults have drunk alcohol before committing the offense and more than 40% of domestic violence incidents involve alcohol.

From a health point of view, long-term excessive alcohol consumption is associated with:

* heart damage * high blood pressure and stroke * liver damage * cancers of the digestive system * other digestive system disorders (e.g. stomach ulcers) * impotence and reduced fertility * increasing risk of breast cancer * sleeping difficulties * brain damage with mood and personality changes * concentration and memory problems

In addition to health problems, alcohol can negatively impact your finances, work situations and relationships. Judgment becomes impaired, reactions slow down, co-ordination decreases and inhibitions diminish.

What do I do now?

Think about the effects of alcohol on your own life. Do you need to make some adjustments? Do you need to speak up and say something to your family or friends about their drinking issues? Don't become one of the statistics.

- Article posted in /?p=228" Life Choices

Will it change you?