April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and it’s a great time to discuss drinking responsibly. Alcohol has been drunk since at least 7000–6600 BCE, but it is only in the last generation or two that we have come to appreciate how dangerous it can be. Not only can excessive alcohol use contribute to many illnesses, including the risk of some cancers, but it can also increase the risk of injury.
Alcohol slows down response times, increases fatigue, and leads to poor decision-making. While we usually think of alcohol as causing car collisions in Hollywood and other communities, it can also lead to: