Going to the beach is always a lot of fun, especially with friends and family. But whenever social activities like this occur, drinks may seem inevitable. Hawaii is one of the most common spots for these activities where parties, social gatherings and events filled with alcohol are no stranger to the people there.
However, drinking alcohol at the beach is actually a dangerous idea in more ways than you can think. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the top 4 reasons why you should avoid drinking at the beach for a safe and fun time.
And for those who believe that they are at-risk of being an alcoholic in this area, you may seek out resources, such as online AA meetings Honolulu or use a sobriety calculator to help keep track of when you last drank.
Increased Risk of Drowning
One of the many obvious reasons why drinking while swimming or at the beach is the increased risk of drowning. Alcohol is known to impair many of your functions, making it difficult to participate in activities like swimming that require a lot of movement.
In fact, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 31% of drownings involve a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of at least 0.10% or higher, proving the dangers of alcohol and its contribution to an increased risk of drowning.
Dehydration
Being at the beach means staying under the heat. A lot of people will often combat the heat with a refreshing drink, and one of those choices would normally include beer or other sorts of alcoholic beverages.
While it may seem harmless to have a drink or two to cool off, alcohol in fact makes you more dehydrated. Being a diuretic, it removes the fluids from your body, and can easily result in dehydration, which could then lead to a number of other symptoms. If you feel thirsty during your beach activities, opt for plain water instead. If you don’t think you can choose to decline alcohol, you can always look into drug rehab facilities for support.
Fatal Boating Accidents
Honolulu boat tours are a common activity in Hawaii, however, this is also one of the most dangerous things you can do when drinking alcohol. In a report by the US Coast Guard, alcohol contributes to 18% of boating deaths, making it a leading known contributor of fatal boating accidents.
If you plan to get on that boat, you should skip the alcohol altogether. Instead, enjoy the gorgeous views of Hawaii and have a fun, sober time.
Impaired Judgement
Alcohol is well-known to have an impact on one’s judgement. Multiple studies have shown that alcohol impairs people’s ability to decide optimally, despite the consideration of multiple facts, which results in poor choices.
While going to the beach and swimming is a fun activity, it also requires being alert, wherein you have to consider factors like the waves, the weather, and more. Being under the influence of alcohol can make one be hasty and make a bad overall decision.
Saying No to Alcohol
While drinking at the beach can be fun, it can also be dangerous. Choosing to opt out of alcoholic beverages is always the best choice to fully enjoy your vacation and get home safely. By knowing these 4 reasons, you will be reminded of the dangers of alcoholism.
If you or a loved one is in danger of alcoholism, you can try to look up “AA meetings near me” or use our tool to find AA meetings in Hawaii.
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