The Effects of Drinking Alcohol in Cold Environments

Some of us have been there, sitting in the bleachers at a football game with the weather particularly brisk, and we throw back a couple of beers; the perfect remedy for the cold. Or we come in from a cold snowy day and warm up with a nice hot toddy. This "warming up" is, in actuality, just an illusion. The fact is, there are many hazards associated with drinking alcohol in cold weather, both physical and physiological.

Physical Effects of Alcohol on the Body

In the cold, the body will constrict blood vessels in the extremities in order to preserve heat in its core for vital organs. Alcohol consumption causes the blood vessels to dilate, giving the illusion that it is providing warmth. In actuality, the blood vessel dilation in the skin takes heat from the body's core and causes the body temperature to decrease. If exposed to the cold, this makes the body more susceptible to hypothermia.

Physiological Effects of Alcohol Consumption

The illusion of warmth bought about by alcohol consumption can cause impaired judgment. An intoxicated person is more likely to go out into the cold without suitable outerwear, exacerbating their chances for hypothermia. Combined with the compromised motor and analytical skills that accompany intoxication, the dangers in cold weather are furthermore compounded. Intoxicated individuals also are more likely to fall; in the cold, this can lead to a more dangerous situation.

Teen Drinking

When teenagers drink, they generally drink to excess. In cold weather, this makes teenagers more vulnerable, especially in light of the fact that their analytical skills are not fully developed. Consequently, they are more likely to make choices that can, and sometimes do, prove to be fatal.

Warming Up Safely

When the body warms up too quickly, the blood vessels in the extremities dilate, causing the blood pressure to fall. When intoxicated, this effect is exacerbated, and can be potentially fatal. With extremely low pressure, there is too little blood for the heart to pump and, if this continues for several pumps, the result is heart failure.