All of us have heard the warning that you should not drink and drive. Many responsible, law abiding citizens do in fact heed this warning by arranging alternative transportation if they know they may be going out to have a drink or two. Some of us take taxis, some use a designated driver. All it takes is a little planning. We know the consequences. Since drinking impairs our motor skills and judgment, driving after drinking can result in an accident and injury to others. That is why it is against the law.
How terrible it is to find out that those that have been elected to public office disregard the laws by exhibiting irresponsible and lawless behavior. Take this Mayor from Union Springs, Alabama. He was arrested the day after Christmas for drunk driving. The story is here.
Apparently his step-daughter was stopped for driving without lights. She called the Mayor who arrived in his car reeking of alcohol. After failing a field sobriety test he was busted for drunk driving, and also for obstructing government operations to boot. Apparently he became indignant in his impaired condition, and tried to stop the officers from writing up a citation.
Alcohol affects every organ in the body, not just our brains. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into our bloodstream. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver, but our liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time. The safe rule of thumb is one drink per hour. Otherwise excess alcohol circulates throughout the body.
When alcohol gets to our brain cells it slows reaction time and impairs judgment and coordination. These are the skills we need to drive safely. Obviously the more alcohol consumed, the greater the impairment.
In the Marines, we recognized a difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction – or alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. Alcohol abuse can lead to a failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school or home. Alcohol abuse is drinking in dangerous situations, such as while driving. Alcohol abuse can lead to legal problems. We would call a DUI one alcohol related incident of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol dependence. Alcoholism is a diagnosable disease characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite harm or personal injury, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking stops, and the need to increase the amount consumed to feel the effects of alcohol.
For Marines, those involved in an alcohol related incident receive counseling, or just simple education about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction. Especially if the Marine involved is an NCO or officer. That’s because we expect our NCOs and Officers to lead by example. How about our elected officials?
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