Enjoying good company and celebrations is part of a meaningful adult life. However, it is sometimes good to critically reflect on one’s alcohol consumption: do I remember to eat enough and drink water while celebrating? And could I sometimes enjoy non-alcoholic drinks instead of alcohol?

Reducing alcohol consumption improves long-term health and lowers the risk of accidents: up to half of all brain injuries occur under the influence of alcohol. The majority of those injured while intoxicated are so-called moderate users.

“Only a small portion of brain injuries associated with alcohol consumption are related to problematic substance use. While about half of these injuries occur to those who are tipsy, the majority — as much as 78% — happen to people who occasionally drink to excess, not to chronic alcohol abusers,” states Päivi Puhakka, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association.

Finns typically drink alcohol on weekends and holidays. Especially on Saturday evenings, about 840,000 Finns are found near a glass. Midsummer, May Day, and New Year’s Eve are also famously wet celebrations.

“Although accidents can happen even when sober, it is important to remember that just two drinks can significantly slow coordination, balance, fine motor skills, and reaction times. Thus, the risk of injury and accidents increases significantly,” says Heli Vaija, an expert from the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT).

When intoxicated, judgment weakens and impulsivity and risk-taking increase: the risk of accidents increases with a blood alcohol content of 0.6 per mille. When a person is about one per mille intoxicated, performance deteriorates, and the risk of accidents already increases significantly. A blood alcohol content of one per mille is reached by an 80-kilogram woman after four drinks and by an 80-kilogram man after five drinks — that is, from five glasses of wine or five beers.

“Older adults are affected by alcohol even more quickly, so they don’t even need that amount,” Puhakka notes.

The risk of accidents caused by substances can be prevented and reduced by, among other things, decreasing binge drinking. Risky drinking can be avoided by switching from alcohol to delicious mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages. However, if one chooses to drink alcohol, it is important to remember to drink water occasionally.

“We must remember that celebrating and having fun are important for mental well-being. By consuming alcohol moderately or celebrating without alcohol altogether, the festive atmosphere can more easily remain positive,” Vaija reminds.

The Brain Injury Association and EHYT are organizing a campaign around May Day to encourage moderate celebration.

Find more from EHYT ry (Finland, April 2024)