While Dry January is coming to a close, the topic of drinking alcohol is still making headlines.

Heavy drinking habits among adults that started during the COVID-19 pandemic haven’t slowed down, according to a study.

The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that alcohol use among adults ages 18 and older increased by 4% from 2018 to 2020, with heavy alcohol use increasing by a whopping 20%. Researchers say the increase continued in 2022.

The pandemic caused plenty of stress for people – working from home, remote learning for children and just plain boredom. Experts say alcohol can start as a habit and then become an addiction. It’s also a way to cope with problems and issues that are impacting our daily lives. 

“COVID was a very stressful time for a lot of people,” says Jessy Mathew, MD, a primary care physician for OSF HealthCare. “There was a lot of social isolation, and a lot of emotional turmoil. People lost their friends; they lost family members. There were no outdoor activities, and alcohol became a relief from all these problems.”

The study defined heavy drinking as five drinks a day or 15 drinks a week for men and four drinks a day or eight drinks a week for women. The increase was seen in all age groups, genders, races and regions in the U.S. except for Asian Americans and Native Americans. Adults in their 40s had the biggest increase in consumption.

“It depends on the type of alcohol and your rate of metabolism, which might be different for each person,” says Dr. Mathew. “It also depends on how much you're drinking at the time. Are you binge drinking? Are you mixing it with other drinks? Are you mixing it with other substances or other drugs? There's a variety of reasons.”

There are many risks with heavy drinking. Among the potential health problems include heart disease and cancer, as well as anxiety, depression, the risk of accidents, and social, family, legal and behavioral issues. “Alcohol affects everything, basically, from head to toe, every single organ can be affected by alcohol,” says Dr. Mathew.

The earlier people start drinking, the greater the risk of developing health issues later in life. And women are more prone to get sicker from alcohol, according to Dr. Mathew. “There's a study that says that if you have one extra drink a day, it puts you at a risk of five to nine times more likely of getting breast cancer,” she says. “It also increases your risk of infertility, menstrual problems, osteoporosis or weakening of your bones, which leads to fractures.” 

Dr. Mathew offers several ways to reduce alcohol consumption, including:

·         Avoiding triggers such as people, places or activities that lead to heavy drinking

·         Create ways to deal with stress such as exercise, walking and reading

·         Limit the amount of alcohol you have in your home

·         Find hobbies that don’t involve alcohol

·         Seek support from friends and family or co-workers

Dr. Mathew adds that if you start feeling guilty about drinking, find yourself becoming easily agitated, or drinking at odd times of the day, it might be time to seek professional help. For more information on behavioral health services, visit the OSF HealthCare website. 

 

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John Bednar, MD, hasn’t been on a snowmobile in years, but he’s seen firsthand what can happen to drivers and passengers if they don’t take proper precautions on the snowmobile trails.

Every year, 14,000 injuries and nearly 200 deaths are the result of snowmobiling accidents, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The main causes are excess speed, alcohol, driver inexperience and poor judgment.

Snowmobile accidents range from ankle sprains to serious injuries such as brain, back and neck injuries, says Dr. Bednar, an emergency room physician with OSF HealthCare. He compares these accidents to the trauma seen in motorcycle mishaps.

“Snowmobile crashes can be absolutely horrendous, life threatening and such a tragedy if you have an unexpected accident, like we see every year,” he adds. “Deaths, severe spinal injuries, pelvic fractures, multiple broken bones that can be devastating, devastating injuries and totally unexpected when you're out there to have fun.”

The biggest danger, without question, is consuming alcohol or drugs while using a snowmobile.

“I've seen very few snowmobile accidents that did not have some sort of intoxication involved or other preventive kind of reckless behavior,” says Dr. Bednar. “Intoxication, number one, by far, seems to be most involved in the crashes I've seen over the decades.”

Dr. Bednar says if it’s not alcohol related, the other common factor in snowmobile accidents is not being familiar with the surroundings. That’s especially the case for snowmobilers who travel away from home to ride in other parts of the Midwest.

“Know your trail and stay on your trail,” Dr. Bednar says. “If it's a well-known, well-marked trail, then you're much less likely to hit a stump, hit a rock, get off course, hit the tree, because that's when we see the crashes. When they don't know their trail, they use excessive speed, or they get off course, that's when they hit the tree or the rock, and those things don't like moving, and our heads don't like sudden stops.”

Whether you’re driving your snowmobile day or night, it’s imperative to watch your speed – especially if you’re inexperienced or driving at night when visibility is limited.

Always wear proper protective gear when riding a snowmobile. That includes a helmet, goggles, gloves, wrist guards, shoulder pads, chest protectors, knee protection and supportive footwear. Your equipment can keep you safe but also serves as protection from frostbite and hypothermia.

“Most snowmobilers have great gear, including their helmets,” says Dr. Bednar. “But if you are going to go on ice, if you think it is safe ice, please consider wearing a life vest underneath your gear. We’ve seen multiple tragedies on thin ice.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers the following tips:

• Dress for the weather.
• Check the weather forecast and road conditions.
• Carry appropriate equipment for your activity, such as a flashlight, rope, ice picks or ice claws.
• Have spare equipment available in case something breaks.
• Stay hydrated and fueled – bring water and snacks.
• Bring a buddy.
• Tell others where you will be, how long you plan to be gone and schedule check-in times.
• Carry a two-way communication device that receives service in remote areas.
• Take an honest assessment of your health – if you’re not feeling well, don’t go out.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a sled head, these tips will ensure a safer trail ride this season.

Interview Clips 

John Bednar, MD, has seen it all when it comes to hunting accidents. Broken bones, injured backs, heart attacks, you name it.

“Common hunting injuries include falls, whether that's a fall while you're hiking, carrying, hauling or whether it's a fall out of the tree stand,” says Dr. Bednar, an emergency room physician with OSF HealthCare. “Other injuries that we see in the emergency department are accidental shootings, whether it's self-inflicted or somebody else in your party.” 

Fortunately, those visits to the ER are not common because many hunters are well educated when it comes to their safety, Dr. Bednar says. Still, accidents happen, especially during the fall hunting season.

And many of the injuries, such as tripping or falling from a tree stand, are the result of alcohol and drug use. “The biggest rule when you’re hunting is no intoxication of any sort, whether it's alcohol or drugs or any combination thereof,” Dr. Bednar says. “Those are the most frequent things we see, people who fall when they're hunting because they're intoxicated.”

Another important tip is to remember to pack your prescription drugs – especially if you’re traveling long distances to hunt. Dr. Bednar says if you forget to take blood pressure medicine, for example, it could lead to a potential health problem during your outing.

And it’s essential to be in good health if you’re planning on hunting. That’s because of the hiking, walking and climbing you do – all while carrying gear or dragging an animal carcass. Dr. Bednar says it’s an especially important reminder for people in their 60s who don’t have the stamina they used to. In fact, he recommends older hunters let the younger people in the group do the heavy lifting. And take several rest breaks if you’re not used to strenuous hikes.

Dr. Bednar has treated several hunters who have suffered a heart attack due to excess exertion. “They have to know what their fitness level is when they are out hunting,” he says. “Whether you're hauling gear or hauling deer, you have to know what your limits are.”

And then there’s the matter of the tree stand. The average fall from a tree stand is about 15 feet. Just another reason to steer clear of the booze.

“If you are in a tree stand, make sure you have your harness and tether appropriately working,” says Dr. Bednar. “If you don't have a harness and you don't have a short tether, you could be in trouble, because if you fall off, even with a harness, you might have too long of a harness lead. So, make sure you have a short tether. If you're going to fall off, you don't fall off very far, and you can get back on again.”

Other helpful tips include being familiar with the area where you’re hunting. Let others know exactly where you’re going to be and when you plan on calling it a day, especially if you have weak cell service. Consider using a two-way radio or loud whistle in case you need help.

It’s never a bad idea to pack a first aid kit, including tourniquets – learn CPR and be prepared for any injuries. “Take a course on basic first aid and tourniquet use,” says Dr. Bednar. “Because if you have an accidental gunshot wound or a fall with a compromised arm or leg extremity, tourniquets can be lifesaving in the field.”

And now that cooler weather is here, make sure to dress appropriately. Hunters are more likely to suffer frostbite and hypothermia if they’ve been drinking. Cover your ears, nose, fingers and toes. And wear blaze orange instead of camouflage so that you’re visible to other hunters. Wear safety glasses and ear protection. And if you’re bringing your hunting dog, keep him safe by tying a brightly colored bandana around his neck or buy a brightly colored vest for your four-legged friend.

If you or another member of your party suffers a serious or life-threatening injury, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Interview Clips