Alcohol is something that almost everyone enjoys in social situations and as a relaxant. In many cultures, alcohol is part of important social and family events and serving alcohol is considered to be part of the duties of a good host. However, like all things, when consumed in excess, the very same alcohol that induces such good feelings and fraternity can turn into a demonic force that alters our lives forever.

How Alcohol Works

• In very simple terms, alcohol is a beverage that contains the psychoactive drug ethanol. This means, it has the capacity to alter moods and behavior. Alcohol is classified as a depressant – which means it slows down the pace of activity in the central nervous system, resulting in a slowing down of speech, cognitive and sensory capacity, affects motor skills, judgment, perception of reality and reaction time. While all these effects are not harmful if the drinker is confined to a particular space, it can cause enormous back-lash when the person moves around.

• Alcohol also affects the mood in unpredictable ways – some people become more aggressive, argumentative and violent, less inhibited sexually and socially, become extremely indiscreet and noisy, causing disturbance and nuisance to others. Excessive consumption leads to disorientation, dizziness and inability to stand/walk/move etc. The after-effects are equally deleterious – headache, nausea, drowsiness, visual disturbances, depression, irritability etc.

• Another factor is that alcohol is an addictive drug. People can become dependent on it and turn into alcoholics.

• It is absorbed into the blood-stream and travels to the brain within minutes where it begins to affect the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Only 20% of alcohol consumed is absorbed by the body and the rest is transported to the liver which metabolizes it into a non-toxic substance. Over-indulgence damages the liver, leading to cirrhosis and death. Excessive alcohol can cause death due to retardation of the respiratory system.

• Young people are more severely affected in the long-term, since alcohol affects critical brain development stages. They are also less able to absorb the social implications and may engage in more deviant, reckless and aggressive behavior.

Drinking and its Impact on our Lives

The mild “high” that we get from a couple of drinks could cause minor accidents like slip and fall, aggression, spilling things, damaging property, etc but when we operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, it can have serious and life-changing consequences. It also induces you to take risks, ignore warning signs, impairs your judgment, vision, hearing and speech. One of the worst problems that alcohol can cause is that it alters your perception of reality – hence we feel we’re in control, the distance isn’t much, it’s a quiet road and we become over-confident.

Impaired Driving Consequences

At the very least, we can be stopped for a DUI (driving under the influence) or for Impaired Driving. While this is still a federal crime in Canada, an accident caused by impaired driving can have more serious repercussions not just on the drinker’s life, but on that of several other lives too: that of co-passengers, road-users, property owners etc. Canadian laws are very strict regarding drunken driving and studies have shown that it costs billions of dollars in taxpayer and individual terms.

Governments across the world have put in strict terms for reducing alcohol-related driving. Testing blood alcohol content (BAC) is the basis for undertaking criminal proceedings against drivers. BAC of 0.08% in the blood-stream is the point at which alcohol impairs the ability to drive safely. Hence, when this level is exceeded, criminal proceedings are initiated.

The cost to victims of an alcohol-related accident can be devastating. Loss of income, future prospects, physical and emotional trauma, loss of career, medical and rehabilitation costs, loss of care, guidance and companionship, pain and suffering, long-term care-giver costs etc place unbearable financial burdens.

If you/a loved one is an alcohol-impaired accident victim, our free consultation injury lawyers can assist you to claim compensation. Complete statutory benefits can be claimed, civil and criminal liability can be established by our car accident lawyers. Our no win no fee lawyers can ensure that your rights are protected while we put your claim together. 

Tips to Avoid Alcohol-Impaired Accidents

• Enjoy your leisure, but responsibly
• Avoid mixing drinks
• Drink with friends and familiar people
• Never operate machinery/vehicles or go to work drunk
• Don’t take unnecessary risks
• Avoid getting into vehicles if driver is impaired
• Avoid alcohol induced sexual behaviors
• Behavior is impaired even after the drinking session

If you you or your loved ones have been injured by a drunk driver, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.