- October 22, 2024
- Criminal Defense
Sitting down in the evening and enjoying a glass of wine or beer seems like no big deal. When does consuming alcohol turn into a bigger problem like binge drinking or alcoholism? Do these conditions increase your chances of facing legal repercussions?
The Law Office of John Freeman explains here how alcoholism can impact your life and potentially land you in serious hot water with the authorities.
What Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking and alcoholism are terms that many people use to describe the excessive drinking of alcohol. However, the two terms refer to different issues. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as the consumption of enough alcoholic beverages in a relatively short period to raise an individual’s blood alcohol content to .08 or higher. For women, binge drinking typically occurs when the person consumes four or more drinks quickly. For men, the number of drinks is closer to five or more.
NIAAA statistics show that 61.4 million Americans, or nearly 22 percent of people in the U.S. who are age 12 and older, admitted to binge drinking during the past month.
What Is Alcoholism?
The number of drinks a person consumes does not necessarily point to alcoholism. Instead, alcoholism refers to a distressing pattern of alcohol consumption characterized by behaviors such as the inability to control drinking, increased tolerance to alcohol, and continuing to drink despite the known harmful consequences to a person’s life, career, or relationships.
While binge drinking is dangerous, it may occur occasionally, even in people who do not have an alcohol use disorder. However, alcoholism is considered a chronic condition.
Legal Consequences of Binge Drinking and Alcoholism
There are significant consequences associated with binge drinking and alcoholism. Binge drinking can be fatal. Elevated levels of alcohol in the blood can be toxic to the body. In one year, 178,000 people died from excessive alcohol use. One-third of those deaths were attributed to binge drinking. Alcoholism and excessive, long-term alcohol consumption can also lead to liver disease, cancer, stroke, digestive issues, and heart disease.
In addition to the health issues caused by excessive drinking, too much alcohol also impairs the brain, leading to poor decision-making and, potentially, to legal trouble. For example, binge drinking in social settings like parties, college gatherings, and other events can lead to sexual assault or drunk driving accidents. Those struggling with alcoholism often cannot admit that they have a problem and think they are fine to drive, even when they’re not.
Some of the legal problems that can come from binge drinking and alcoholism may include:
- OWI/DUI Charges
- OWI/DUI fatalities
- Fleeing or eluding a police officer
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Assault or battery
Contact an Experienced Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Physical and mental impairments triggered by alcohol can lead a person to engage in dangerous behaviors that may result in a life-changing run-in with the law. If you face criminal charges stemming from an alcohol-related incident, discuss your situation with an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of John Freeman.
Our legal team is proud to protect the rights of individuals in the Troy, Michigan, area. Contact our office today at 248-250-9950 to arrange a confidential legal consultation.