Don’t let alcohol dampen plans Published May 26, 2011 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The sunshine, warmth and long days of summer provide a wealth of opportunities for recreation and relaxation. When mixed with alcohol, these activities can turn dangerous and even deadly. By following these simple guidelines, an alcohol-related accident or health problem can be prevented. If you drive, do not drink; if you drink, do not drive. There is no safe level of alcohol for drivers because everyone reacts differently to alcohol on different occasions. If you are going out with others, decide beforehand who will drive on the return trip. Do not ride with drivers who have been drinking. Never drink and pilot a boat of any kind. The same things that make drinking and driving dangerous -- impaired judgment, information processing and coordination, among other alcohol effects -- can be as deadly on water as they are on land. Boating, windsurfing, jet skiing and waterskiing -- anything that involves speed and skill -- can be dangerous to anyone who has been drinking. Do not swim or dive if you have been drinking. Remember, alcohol will inhibit your swallowing and breathing reflexes, both of which are necessary for swimming and make you feel warmer than you really are, putting you at risk for hypothermia in cold water. In addition, drinking affects the ability to judge distances and may lead someone to swim too far out into a lake or ocean. If you are riding in a boat, remember that alcohol will impair your balance and increase the chances of falling overboard. This danger, compounded by alcohol's effects on swimming, is a common cause of drowning. If you are a heavy drinker, remember that during the summer alcohol consumption can: -- More rapidly dehydrate you. -- Increase blood pressure. -- Increase your chances of developing hypoglycemia, a condition that causes weakness and interferes with the body's temperature regulation. -- Increase chances of becoming a heat prostration or stroke victim. If you have a health condition that makes any of these effects particularly dangerous, do not drink in hot, sunny weather. Do not drink if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you are using medication of any kind or you have had difficulty drinking in moderation in the past. Feel free to refuse alcohol for any other reason, regardless of pressure or encouragement to drink. Do not drink if you are a child or adolescent. For anyone younger than 21, alcohol is an illegal drug. Eat before and during occasions when you are drinking -- eating will slow alcohol's effects. Remember that drinks containing sugar, the beverages often chosen in hot weather, combined with alcohol to produce a hypoglycemic effect even greater than that caused by alcohol alone. Remember, alcohol will impair your performance in most sports; it will make you more vulnerable to accidents and injuries. With so much fun to be had, why let alcohol put a chill on your summer. For more information, visit www.ncadd.org. If you have any questions about substance abuse, call the Tinker Air Force Base, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office (ADAPT) 405-739-7141.