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

FRIEND IS “DEAD WRONG” ABOUT HIS ABILITY TO DRIVE AFTER DRINKING

Question: I have a friend who boasts that he can drink more than the average person and not be drunk. He says he can actually drive better after finishing off a six pack. Could this possibly be true? Are regular drinkers more immune to the effects of alcohol? How should I handle him at my New Year’s party?

Answer: The blunt answer to your friend’s question is that he’s dead wrong, and if he insists on driving in this condition, he could end up just plain dead. Regular consumption of alcohol doesn’t change the effect of this drug; however, frequent drinkers often develop a false sense that they are 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. You need to tell your friend this in a firm but friendly manner.

It typical takes one to two hours for your body 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.

According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12,998 people died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in calendar year 2007. It was estimated that more than half of these accidents were caused by “hard core” drinking drivers. These are people who had a previous driving-while-intoxicated arrest or had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or greater.

Since you are hosting a party at which alcohol is going to be served, you have a responsibility to all your guests, including your problem friend. Suggest that your guests 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 2009. 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.