Hot Temps, Cold Drinks: Staying Safe When Summer and Alcohol Collide

Why does alcohol consumption tend to increase during the summer?

Researchers have studied seasonal patterns in alcohol use for decades. Data from telephone surveys, alcohol sales and hospital admissions consistently show that alcohol consumption peaks during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. One study analyzing urine alcohol tests found that people are about 19% more likely to have consumed alcohol in July than in January. This spike is likely due to increased socializing, vacations and outdoor events during warmer months.

In Colorado, summer drinking is often tied to outdoor recreation. What are the risks?

Alcohol impairs motor coordination and judgment and increases risk-taking, which makes it particularly dangerous during activities that require focus and balance such as hiking, swimming, boating or handling fireworks. While winter brings alcohol-related skiing injuries, summer sees a rise in alcohol-related accidents tied to water activities and outdoor recreation. Head injuries linked to alcohol also peak in July.

What are the dangers of drinking around water – boating, swimming, paddleboarding?

Alcohol can impair a person’s ability to assess their own swimming abilities or notice cold-water hypothermia. It’s also common for people to dive into dangerously shallow water when under the influence. In Colorado, cliff diving into certain lakes and rivers is particularly popular but doing this under the influence is extremely dangerous as it requires complete concentration and the ability to accurately assess your surroundings. The CDC estimates that 31% of drownings and 27% of boating accidents involve someone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10% or higher. A U.S. Coast Guard report found that a boat operator with a BAC of 0.08% or more is 14 times more likely to die in a boating accident than a sober operator.

Why is summer especially challenging for people in recovery, and what strategies can help?

Summer brings more social events including barbecues, pool parties and festivals where alcohol is prevalent. This can make it harder for people in recovery to maintain their sobriety due to social pressure. Helpful strategies include choosing non-alcoholic options in the cooler, practicing how to say “no” ahead of time, attending events with a sober friend or leaving early and skipping gatherings altogether if the temptation is too great.

How can friends and family support someone in recovery at summer events?

Hosts can help by providing food and non-alcoholic drink options. Even for those who are drinking, having food and water helps slow alcohol absorption and lowers peak BAC. For those abstaining, having a non-alcoholic beverage to hold can reduce both cravings and pressure from others to drink. Creating an environment where alcohol isn’t the main focus of the event can also be a meaningful way to support recovery.

How can someone tell if their summer drinking is becoming a problem?

Signs of alcohol use disorder often involve disruptions to life at home, work or school. In the summer, even without the usual routines, red flags include drinking that leads to conflicts or physical altercations, feeling unable to control how much or how long one drinks, craving alcohol and experiencing blackouts. These are strong indicators that drinking may be moving from casual to problematic.

If someone feels their drinking is getting out of hand, what can they do?

Trying a personal “Dry July” or alcohol-free weekend can be a good first step. If that’s difficult it may be time to seek support from a professional, including my lab the Translational Addiction Imaging Laboratory (TrAIL). For those who’ve been drinking heavily and plan to cut back it’s important to be aware of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which include sweating, tremors, vomiting or seizures. These are serious and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Help is available at CeDAR – the Center for Dependency, Addiction, and Rehabilitation.

Anything else people should know?

One lesser-known risk of drinking during the summer is sunburn. People who consume alcohol are less likely to apply sunscreen, according to research, and alcohol reduces the amount of sun exposure needed to burn the skin. Even if sunscreen is applied at the start of a pool day, drinking can cause someone to forget to reapply, increasing the risk of skin damage.