Fights, killings, rapes and suicides are common forms of violence.  Alcohol is often a factor.  People who are drinking are more likely to act violently or to be victims of violence.

Most people know that too much alcohol can be unhealthy.  Over time, alcohol can damage the liver, heart, nervous system and brain.  Drinking too much at once can make a person seriously ill.  It can kill you.  Alcohol can be dangerous in other ways, too.  Violence is a serious problem in our society.  Fighting, rape, physical abuse, killing and suicide are common forms of violence.  Alcohol is often a factor in these things.  People who are drinking are more likely to act violently.  Alcohol can also affect people's ability to protect themselves form violence.

What's the Problem with Drinking?

Alcohol affects coordination, memory, concentration and perception.  It can also quickly change feelings sometimes as soon as the first drink.  A person can suddenly become angry and violent, depressed and quiet, or happy and loving.  At the same time alcohol can lower judgment and self control.  So someone who feels angry might be more likely to  argue, fight or be violent in other ways after drinking.  Someone who feels depressed may be more likely to think about suicide.

FIGHTING

Even someone who is usually easygoing can feel angry enough to hit someone else after drinking.  A person may be quicker to start an argument or take part in one.  Arguing can lead to serious fights when alcohol is involved.  Once a fight begins, it's harder to stop when one or both parties have been drinking.  Alcohol and angry feelings can also lead to physical abuse among families, friends and dating partners.  When guns or other weapons are involved, the violence can lead to serious injury or death.

MURDER

Guns, angry feelings and alcohol are a dangerous combination.  Two out of three murder victims are killed with guns.  Most murders happen when two people get into an argument that turns into a fight.  Half of all homicides happen between people who know each other.  Family members or friends begin fighting and someone gets killed.

RAPE

Over half of all rapists know the person they rape.  About one out of three rapes happen on a date.  Often the rapist, the victim or both have been drinking.  Alcohol can lower self ? control and cause someone to act on aggressive, angry feelings.  This can lead to rape.  Alcohol can lower perception and judgment.  So a potential victim who's drinking might be less alert to danger signals or might agree to be alone with someone in a risky situation.

SUICIDE

Alcohol, used alone or with other legal or illegal drugs, can increase a person's risk of suicide.  Drinking can make bad feelings last longer or seem worse.  Alcohol can cause people to do things they wouldn't otherwise do.  People who use alcohol to deal with depression are less likely to get help.

What Happens When You Drink?

Alcohol goes directly from the stomach into the bloodstream.  It is quickly carried to the brain, liver and other major parts.  The liver helps the body get rid of the alcohol, but if a person drinks more than the liver can handle, alcohol builds up in the body.  The more alcohol there is in the body, the more impaired a person becomes.  Only time will sober a person up.  Drinking strong coffee will not help.  The liver of a healthy 150- pound man takes about an hour to get rid of one drink.

What Is a Drink?

An alcoholic drink is any drink that contains half an ounce of alcohol.  One 12 ounce can of beer, one 4 ounce glass of wine, or one "shot" (1 ounce at 100 proof) of hard liquor each contain half an ounce of alcohol.  Beer and wine are as dangerous as hard liquor.

How Much is Too Much?

There is no way to know what amount is safe because people respond differently to alcohol.  Alcohol causes different feelings in different people.  It can also cause different feelings in the same person at the same time.
Many things affect how alcohol makes a person act and feel:

• Size, age and gender
• How fast a person drinks
• Having food in the stomach

Reducing Your Risk of Violence

Your best choice is not to drink at all in situations that could become violent.
If you choose to drink there are some things you can do to help avoid violence:

• Be aware that alcohol can affect you.  Remember that drinking can change the way you feel, act and protect yourself.
• Eat something before you drink.  Don't drink on an empty stomach.
• Limit yourself to no more than one drink per hour.
• Don't let anyone talk you into drinking more than you feel you can manage.
• If people around you in a group or at a party begin to act angry and violent, leave.
• Don't be alone with someone in a sexual situation.
• Don't carry weapons or be with someone who does.
• Don't drink to cover up painful feelings.  Talk to someone you trust instead.