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HOUGHTON An article published in the Dec. 20 edition of the Daily Mining Gazette titled Christmas and alcohol can be a toxic formula, addressed a relationship between excessive drinking during the holidays and arguments between family members. What the article did not address is the hazards that accompany intoxication at holiday gatherings and parties.

Despite being the most wonderful time of the year, Cherry Digital Content reported in a Dec. 14 email, statistics show that the festive period is the deadliest on Americas roads.

In 2018, in one week alone, there were 285 deaths due to drunk driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). On New Years Day, drunk driving-related deaths skyrocket to 129% above the baseline average, making it the most dangerous holiday of the year in terms of intoxicated road use.

In Michigan, the situation has become so critical that more than half of residents polled reported they will choose to spend the night with family rather than risk being struck by a drunk driver.

A survey conducted by DesertHopeTreatment.com, a leading provider of addiction treatment, polled 3,510 Americans revealing that almost two-thirds of Michiganders (63%) will choose to stay over with family at Christmas in order to avoid drunk drivers on roads and highways this year. That is significantly above the national average of 59%.

Given that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are on a Friday and Saturday this year, suggested cherrydigitalcontent.com, it may be the wisest choice to stay over, if possible, considering 62% of drunk driving-related fatalities occur over the weekend.

Choosing not to drive on Christmas Eve is not an overreaction. The Michigan State Police website reports that Impaired Driving in 2019 accounted for:

Alcohol- and Drug-Related Fatalities, 419.

Fatalities, 985.

Injuries, 74,963.

Total Crashes, 314,377.

The Dec. 20 Daily Mining Gazette article was posted to a social media page with the purpose of maligning it. One respondent, Ceric Lasentri, posted the comment:

Facepalms at this tabloid level crap. Especially before the holidays. Way to p**s in the punch, bud. Lets kick off this weekends festivities with an air of *SSHOLE about us. Its S**T like this, that feeds the negativity. And you know the old saying The demon or angel you feed the most prevails.

Yet, on August 18, 2020 a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 93,296 deaths in the U.S. every year (255 per day), shortening the lives of these people by an average of 29 years (2.7 million years of potential life lost).

Michigan is eighth highest in terms of total deaths among all 50 states and 17th highest in age-adjusted alcohol-attributable deaths per 100,000-population, the CDC reported.

In consideration of these new data, the report stated, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission today urges moderation in alcohol consumption.

These findings are a huge wake-up call toward keeping alcohol consumption in check, MLCC Chair Pat Gagliardi is quoted as saying in the report.

The CDC reports that 55% of these premature, preventable deaths are from long-term drinking that causes various cancers, liver disease, heart disease, and other health problems. Overall, 71 percent of these premature deaths are among men, and 56 percent are people ages 35 to 64. Not surprisingly, alcoholic liver disease was the leading chronic cause of alcohol-attributable deaths overall, most predominantly among men.

Excessive alcohol consumption at holiday parties and social events is included in what is termed binge drinking. Binge drinking was addressed in the CDC study.

Michigans alcohol epidemiologist, Patrick Hindman, drew attention to the rising prevalence of binge drinking, the report stated.

These new data are a reflection of drinking patterns, particularly binge drinking, as approximately 90 percent of adults who report excessive drinking, binge drink. According to a January 2020 CDC report, there were significant increases in total binge drinks per adult from 2011 to 2017 among adults who reported binge drinking for both men and women, and those aged 35-44 years (up 26.7 percent) and 45-64 years (up 23.1%).

EDITORS NOTE: Tomorrow, the Daily Mining Gazette will examine the impact of drinking parents on minor children.

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Excessive alcohol consumption is life-threatening, particularly during holidays - Daily Mining Gazette