FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN

By John C. Wolf, D.O.Associate Professor of Family Medicine Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

PLANNING CAN KEEP NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION FROM BECOMING TRAGEDY

Question: I have a friend who thinks she can drink more than the average person and not be drunk. She even thinks that she can actually drive better after having a few drinks. Of course I know this isn't true. She is coming to our New Year's Eve party this year, and from past experience I know that she will be reluctant to use a designated driver. What can I do?

Answer: The consumption of alcohol is acceptable in our society, when done within the legal guidelines. From your description, I'm concerned that your friend may have a serious alcohol problem whether she recognizes it or not. The abuse of alcohol could be a topic for its own column, so I'll just focus on the New Year's party issues for now. It takes the average person one to two hours to eliminate the typical alcoholic drink, such as an ounce of distilled liquor, a bottle of beer or a glass of wine. Therefore, a good "rule of thumb" is that if you have had more than one drink for each two hours that you have been at a party, regardless of how you feel, you shouldn't drive. Regular consumption of alcohol doesn't change the effect of this drug; however, the frequent drinker does develop a sense that he or she is less impaired by it. Numerous studies have shown that this "sense of control" is actually imaginary. The time required to make a decision and then react to a driving situation goes up with each drink, regardless of how accustomed the person is to drinking. So, when your friend has violated the rule of thumb I gave earlier, you should not allow her to drive home. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about 39 percent of fatal vehicle accidents in this country involve alcohol, and that about 16,000 Americans lose their lives in alcohol-related accidents each year. Every one of these accidents is a needless tragedy. The good news is that because of concerned folks like you, increased law enforcement, and safer vehicles, the number of alcohol-related deaths has continued to decrease slightly over the past few years. Here are a few tips for you or anyone else who is holding a party this New Year's Eve:

* Suggest your guests come in groups and that each group select a "designated driver." * Make non-alcoholic beverages available for the designated driver and for anyone else who chooses not to consume alcohol. * Guests should not be persuaded to drink, nor ridiculed if they choose not to. * Snacking should be encouraged. * Coffee should be served in the last hour or so of the party.

On the last point, let me make it clear that coffee does not counteract alcohol, as some people believe. However, it does offset drowsiness, and this drowsiness may a contributing factor in a driver's impairment of attention and judgment. Anybody -- including your problem friend -- who is obviously drunk or who has consumed enough alcohol that he or she should be, should not be allowed to drive under ANY circumstances. This is also true for someone who is obviously sleepy. Instead, insist they stay overnight, go home with somebody else or take a taxi. This isn't just for their safety and that of other motorists, but also for the extended circle of friends and loved ones who would be affected by another needless tragic death. On behalf of all of us at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers and their families a very happy, peaceful 2002!

"Family Medicine" is a weekly column.

To submit questions, write to John C. Wolf, D.O., at Post Office Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701.

Past columns are available online at http://www.FamilyMedicineNews.org.