VICENZA, Italy -- April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and in recognition of that, some information is provided to raise the level of knowledge as it relates to alcohol.
Being stationed in Italy presents some unique challenges, particularly with the lower drinking age as compared to the United States. However, a lower drinking age doesn't mean that alcohol use is without risk.
Alcohol use, while common, has two primary risks: short term and long term. Short-term risks include fights, injuries, arrests, hospitalizations and the like. Long-term risks are problems like alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, interpersonal problems and job problems, to name a few. What all these risks have in common is that they represent loss of things many people value- job, health, money, freedom, reputation, and so on.
We protect what we value by reducing our risk as is relates to alcohol, and there are several strategies to do that.
First, know what you're drinking. Generally, we can process about one standard drink per hour; any quantity beyond one drink per hour brings with it impairment. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA.gov), a standard drink is defined by 12 ounces of regular (5 percent alcohol content) beer, 5 ounces of 12 percent wine, or 1.5 ounces of 40 percent distilled spirits. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, it isn't.
Often, beer is sold in larger containers, or can have a significantly higher alcohol content than 5 percent. Wine is served in a variety of glass sizes, and a mixed drink can contain multiple "shots" of alcohol. One solution is to download an app to your smartphone that can estimate your blood alcohol concentration. While this isn't the same as a forensic breathalyzer, it can help you ascertain your approximate blood alcohol concentration.
Second, be aware of how much you're drinking. The risk of negative effects increases as blood alcohol content increases. Research indicates that there may be a health benefit for those that consume two drinks per day, but beyond that, the health benefits disappear. A safer bet is to drink no more than one standard drink per hour, and no more than 3 standard drinks in any given day.
Third, have a plan before you start drinking. Where will you go, who won't be drinking, who will drive, and what is the plan if you lose your group are some basic questions that need to be answered to reduce risk. As blood alcohol content increases, judgement decreases. Make the plan prior to consuming alcohol.
Recently, the Garrison leadership was able to vet and allow certain local taxis on post. Go to www.apptaxi.it for an application on your smartphone to request a taxi or call 0444-920-600. Make sure to instruct them that you are returning to Caserma Del Din or Ederle.
While Alcohol Awareness Month is April, this is information you can use anytime in order to protect what we value. For unit training and more information on alcohol use, please contact the ASAP Prevention Coordinator at DSN 637-2746, or stop by Building 169 on Caserma Ederle.
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