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Since 2000, binge drinking has become one of the most heavily discussed topics in the UK. Youths, the middle-class, men, and women have all been labelled as problem groups with regard to this kind of concentrated alcohol abuse but, in reality, it is something which affects parts of every socio-economic group.
The introduction of 24-hour drinking licences was supposed to reduce the effects of binge drinking since it theoretically allows people to spread their drinks over a longer period of time and not try to cram in as many as possible before last orders. Unfortunately, it has not had this effect. People are still downing their pints, but have even more time in which to do so which means they get to drink even more.
As well as creating some pretty bad hangovers, this has also led to an increase in the number of people being taken to hospital with alcohol-related injuries. A&E departments across the UK are being swamped with inebriated pub and club-goers who have either got so drunk that they need their stomach pumped or have been in some kind of accident
Statistics from the NHS reveal that the number of alcohol-related A&E admissions has gone up a massive 28% percent since the 24-hour drinking legislation was introduced in 2005. This means that almost a third more people are becoming so ill through alcohol consumption that they have to visit a hospital; this figure may be even higher for events and on public holidays such as Christmas.
Whilst the effects of alcohol on the body, such as alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis of the liver, account for many of the A&E visits, a large number of those who have to be taken to hospital have suffered personal injuries in an accident. This is because the poor coordination and judgement that go along with being drunk make it much more likely that someone will be involved in a mishap.
Falls are one of the most common alcohol-related accidents, due to the unsteadiness which those who have drunk too much experience. These often result in orthopaedic injuries, such as broken bones, which can be worse than normal if the drunk person has not tried to mitigate the severity of their fall as they would when they are sober. Unfortunately, serious fall injuries can occur when people who are drunk take risks that they would not otherwise do, such as leaning over a balcony or climbing over a wall.
Road accidents are another leading cause of personal injury among drunk people. Although the dangers of drink-driving are well publicised, people's poor judgement and irresponsibility when intoxicated means that many still do risk sitting behind the wheel. Sobering statistics from Manchester A&E show that alcohol is a factor in 50% of serious car accidents.
However, it is not just those who drive whilst drunk who are at higher risk of being involved in a road accident. Intoxicated pub and club-goers walking home after a night out are more likely to do things such as wander into the road without looking, putting them in danger of being hit by vehicles. In fact, Government figures reveal that around two out of three of pedestrians fatally injured in car accidents on Fridays and Saturdays are over the drink drive limit.
It is clear that alcohol is one of the catalysts for personal injury, whether it is through poisoning, slips and falls, road accidents or drink-related street assaults and domestic violence. So next time you go out drinking, consider that you could end up suffering from more than a hangover the next day if you take it too far.
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