Alcohol can sometimes put you in a vulnerable and threatening position. Even the most responsible, moderate drinkers are sometimes put in situations where even a small amount of alcohol could pose a threat to your health, your reputation, or the safety of those around you.
To avoid potential danger, embarrassment at the office holiday party, and other undesirable drinking-related side effects, check out this list of 10 things you should never mix with alcohol:
1. Medications: If you’ve ever taken prescription painkillers, antidepressants or certain antibiotics, chances are you have seen that similar warning label: “Do Not Drink Alcoholic Beverages When Taking This Medication.” Many over-the-counter medications can interact unfavorably with alcohol, although warnings on these common household remedies are sometimes listed in the fine print, where they may be easily overlooked. Some medications when taken with alcohol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, impaired motor control, and risk of overdose. When in doubt, always check with your doctor or pharmacist, or just play it safe and hold off on the drinks until the medicine is out of your system.
2. Dialing, Texting and Posting: This behavior commonly known as “drunk dialing” or “drunk texting” has become more popular with social media and apps that are available right at your fingertips. These actions can wreak havoc on your social life and can cause serious problems that may potentially turn into legal issues. Luckily, there are some anti-drunk-dialing apps you can download that will let you temporarily block certain numbers, email addresses, and functions from your phone.
3. Morel Mushroom: Morel mushrooms are sought after for their earthy taste and meaty texture. But like many varieties of mushrooms, morels can cause allergic reactions or stomach upset for some people, especially when the y are eaten undercooked or raw. Consuming these kinds of mushrooms with alcohol actually causes vomiting and nausea. Stranger still, a trouble-free experience with morels and alcohol in the past doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t have an adverse reaction in the future. Avoid these mushrooms when you plan on having wine with dinner.
4. Energy Drinks: Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is pretty common among young adults, however these concoctions can be extremely dangers to your health, especially when consumed in large quantities. Alcohol is a depressant, so when paired with a stimulant it can actually make you feel more sober and alert than we actually are. This is due to the stimulant effect of caffeine that is in the energy drink which prevents drinkers from feeling the effects of the alcohol. When ordering a drink at the bar, try and steer clear of energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Order a vodka tonic instead.
5. Marijuana: Just because marijuana is legal in 2 states and permitted for medical use in 20 does not make it safe to mix with alcohol. The combination can lead to tachycardia (a resting heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute); raised blood pressure; an increased impairment of cognitive skills, and motor skills. It is extremely dangerous to drink and drive or smoke marijuana and drive and when combined, these risks skyrocket. Low doses of alcohol and low doses of THC moderately impaired driving performance when administered alone and when the same doses of alcohol and THC were combined, the effect of driving performance was severe. Even if you are not driving, the combination of the two can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, panic attacks, anxiety, or paranoia. Never combine the two.
6. Online Shopping: This one may not be hazardous to your health, but it could have a negative impact on your bank account. Try to avoid this as much as possible!
7. Office Parties: The holidays are coming up which means it’s almost that time for the annual office party. Someone alcohol is free to guests which can make it much easier for employees to get a little wild in front of co-workers and bosses. Adding alcohol to the mix can cause some serious issues at the office party where you are surrounded by people you work with every day. This year, try to limit yourself to two drinks at the holiday party and do what you can to not go over your limit.
8. Pregnancy: This is an obvious one. There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy, or even while trying to conceive, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This is because any alcohol the mother takes is directly absorbed by the baby through the placenta. The baby’s liver isn’t developed enough to break down alcohol. Avoid drinking at all if pregnant.
9. Firearms: Common sense would suggest that shooting a gun, like other behaviors requiring sound judgment and steady motor skills, is an activity best performed when sober. Unfortunately, many Americans do not agree. Between 1997 and 2009, there were an estimated 395,366 firearm-related deaths in the U.S., and about one-third of them are believed to have been alcohol-related. Just don’t ever mix the two. It is that simple.
10. Driving: Never mix alcohol and driving. Drunk driving fatalities increased by 4.6% nationwide between 2011 and 2012, with 10,322 drunk driving death accounting for 31% of all traffic fatalities in 2012. Buzzed driving is also drunk driving so even if you have had one drink, call a cab, a friend, or a family member to come pick you up. It’s not worth the consequences.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a drunk driver, contact us today for a free consultation.
Source: HowStuffWorks.com
