By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

PARTY HOST SHOULD INSURE THAT NO ONE DRIVES OR WALKS HOME DRUNK

Question: I’m not a regular drinker, but on New Year’s Eve we always host a party, and I often have several drinks of champagne. How many drinks does it take to make a person drunk, and is it any different for those who drink alcohol regularly? I’m concerned about letting our guests drive home.

Answer: It's almost time to ring in the new year -- an occasion that many people will celebrate by raising a few toasts. While moderate drinking is acceptable in our society, drinking to the point of getting drunk is not. And, when a person is drunk, there's absolutely no excuse for trying to drive a car.

According to a recently released study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16,885 people died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in calendar year 2005. This accounted for 39 percent of all traffic-related deaths in that year. A study a few years earlier found that one person is killed every 31 minutes in an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash. And, statistics also tell us that about 1,700 Americans lose their lives by “walking drunk” each year.

Your concern for your guests is, therefore, admirable and appropriate. Every accident involving a drunk driver or pedestrian is a needless tragedy.

It takes the average person one to two hours to eliminate the standard alcoholic drink, such as an ounce of distilled liquor, a bottle of beer or a glass of wine. Given this fact, a good, conservative rule of thumb is that you should not drive if you have had more than one drink for each two hours at a party.

Regular consumption of alcohol doesn’t change the effect of this drug; however, the frequent drinker does develop a false sense that he or she is less impaired by it. The time required to see a problem and then react to it goes up with each drink, regardless of how accustomed the person is to drinking.

Since you are hosting a party at which alcohol is going to be served, you have a responsibility to your guests. Suggest that they come in groups and that each group select a “designated driver.” Make non-alcoholic beverages available, preferably served in the same type of glasses as the alcohol, 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. Serve plenty of snacks and encourage snacking. As the party starts to wind down, put the alcohol away and serve coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages. Coffee does not counteract the effects of alcohol, but a long period of socializing without alcohol can be helpful.

Most importantly, make sure that absolutely nobody who’s had too much to drink gets behind the wheel. Alcohol inhibits our ability to make good decisions, so don’t expect your guests to decide for themselves whether or not they can drive safely. Instead, keep an eye on all your guests, and if anybody shows the least sign of having too much to drink, do not let that person drive or even walk home alone. Insist he or she stay overnight, go home with somebody else, or take a taxi. Not only does that protect the intoxicated person, but it also protects you. That’s because in many states you can now be held legally liable for the actions of somebody who leaves your party drunk.

On behalf of all of us at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine I’d like to wish all my readers and their families a very Happy New Year in 2008. Here's to your health!

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.