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Key Points
- Combining alcohol with sun and heat can lead to heat exhaustion or sun stroke, with symptoms such as severe sweating, headaches, extreme thirst, dizziness, and nausea.
- Alcohol can impair judgment and coordination, making water sports and swimming activities dangerous and potentially leading to accidents.
- Alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, including boating. It's also a major factor in driving accidents, with over 1.4 million drivers arrested for DUIs in 2010.
- Mixing alcohol with hot tub relaxation can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even drowning. It also increases the risk of injuries from broken glass if glass bottles are used.
- Mixing alcohol with prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, or illegal substances can lead to severe symptoms like drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting. Always consult with a healthcare professional about potential side effects of combining alcohol with medications.
Summer is the time for BBQ, potlucks, and other gatherings. It's also a
time when we indulge in alcohol; however, mixing alcohol with other things
may lead to a trip to an urgent care center or worse.
1. Heat
Mixing cocktails, including wine and beer with too much sun and heat often causes heat exhaustion or sun stroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion includes:
- Severe sweating
- Headache
- Extreme thirst
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Coordination loss or impaired judgment
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Cool or moist skin
- Weak or rapid pulse
Sun stroke, also known as heat stroke is extremely dangerous and you may need immediate health care. Symptoms include:
- Initial symptoms of heat exhaustion
- Absence of sweating
- Flushed or red, dry skin
- Rapid pulse
- Constricted pupils
- Difficulty when breathing
- High blood pressure
- Seizure or convulsions
2. Water Sports
Many people around pools, lakes, or rivers suffer swimming accidents due to alcohol and its impairment effects.
Partaking in too much alcohol around water might offer the feeling you can make a super dive or jump or swim the width of a river when in fact, these ideas are dangerous.
Others may indulge in water sports they've never tried before. Because excessive alcohol use weakens mind clarity, it's best to avoid water super stunts if you plan on indulging.
3. Driving (and Riding)
This includes boats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, "Alcohol use is involved in up to 70 percent of deaths associated with water recreation including driving boats." If you are captaining any type of boat or Jet Ski, avoid mixing alcohol to keep yourself and passengers safe.
The CDC also says in 2010, "Over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for DUIs." Drivers and passengers both suffer the consequences of driving under the influence. If an accident occurs, injuries from the very severe to cuts and abrasions will require immediate urgent care.
4. Hot Tubs & Jacuzzis
Summer also includes Jacuzzi or hot tub relaxation. Combining too many cocktails with hot temperatures causes dehydration, heat exhaustion, and drowning.
If you drink in a hot tub alone, you can possibly pass out, which leads to drowning and other injuries.
Those who take glass bottles into hot tubs or a Jacuzzi increase the risk of broken glass causing cuts to the feet or legs—often severe cuts that require stitches.
5. Drugs
Lessen the need for emergency care this summer by avoiding mixing prescribed medications and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs as many don't mix well with alcohol. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of mixing alcohol with the drugs you take. Something as common as cold or cough medicine mixed with alcohol can cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Some prescription medications cause more severe symptoms when taken with alcohol such as pain medications, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and certain antibiotics.
Any illegal drug can not only get you arrested but when mixed with alcohol can cause overdoses or severe trauma. Severe trauma can include fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting.
Have fun this summer, but do so safely and responsibly!
Frequently asked questions
What are some risks associated with mixing alcohol and heat?
Mixing alcohol with too much sun and heat can lead to heat exhaustion or sun stroke. This is due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, which can intensify the body's reaction to heat.What are some symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include severe sweating, headache, extreme thirst, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, coordination loss or impaired judgment, tingling in hands or feet, cool or moist skin, and a weak or rapid pulse.How can alcohol consumption affect water sports safety?
Alcohol can impair judgment and coordination, leading to risky behavior around water such as attempting dangerous dives, jumps, or swims. This can result in swimming accidents or drownings.What are the dangers of mixing alcohol and boating?
Alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, including boating. If you're operating a boat or Jet Ski, it's best to avoid alcohol to ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers.How does alcohol consumption relate to driving under the influence (DUI)?
The CDC reports that over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for DUIs in 2010. Both drivers and passengers can suffer severe consequences from driving under the influence, including injuries that require immediate urgent care.What are the risks of drinking alcohol in hot tubs and jacuzzis?
Combining alcohol with the hot temperatures of a hot tub or jacuzzi can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even drowning. If you pass out from drinking in a hot tub alone, you risk drowning or other injuries.How does alcohol interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications?
Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs don't mix well with alcohol. This can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or more severe symptoms. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions between alcohol and your medications.What are the risks of mixing alcohol and illegal drugs?
Mixing alcohol and illegal drugs can lead to overdoses or severe trauma, including fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and vomiting. This can result in a need for emergency care or even be life-threatening.
