Alcoholism and Drunk Driving
For many, the holidays go hand-in-hand with drinking as a form of celebration. Unfortunately for those struggling with alcohol addiction, the holidays can prove to be a trigger that brings on episodes of binge drinking and making poor decisions.
The holidays also are a time when cases of driving under the influence (DUI) spike too. While this is already a dangerous and potentially fatal choice, alcohol addiction adds to these numbers. In light of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, the experts at North Georgia Recovery Center are here to shed some light on the connection to these two issues.
Drunk Driving Statistics
Some important statistics about drunk driving and its impact on the American public include:
- Someone dies every 52 minutes due to a drunk-driving crash.
- On average, 10,000 people die from preventable drunk driving accidents each year.
- 17% of traffic deaths of children between the age of 0 and 14 are caused by an alcohol-impared driver.
- Over 111 million people admit to driving under the influence annually.
- Roughly 1 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence each year.
How Alcoholism Adds to these Numbers
Like other forms of substance use issues, drinking excessively for long periods of time can lead to addiction issues that chemically change the brain. When you develop an alcohol addiction, it impairs your ability to critically think and make sound decisions due to the compulsion to seek and use alcohol. Ultimately, this leads to making poor decisions—including driving under the influence.
Alcoholism also causes the hippocampus to shrink, which is responsible for things like memory and spatial awareness. Subsequently, this can impact your ability to drive responsibly, resulting in more car crashes.
Seeking Help for Addiction at North Georgia Recovery Center
The road to recovery starts with taking the first step. Let us walk alongside you on the path to sobriety and wellness. When you choose to get treatment at North Georgia Recovery Center, you can rest assured knowing that you will be treated by licensed therapists in our state-of-the-art facilities. Every one of our team members is certified to address and effectively treat the issues that come along with addiction.
To schedule your free consultation with our team, call (678) 940-7873 today.