COLUMN: The deadly consequences for underestimating drinking
When I awoke in Central Michigan Community Hospital, I was too tired to feel anything.
Once the nurse came and talked to me, I began crying because I was upset that I drank to the point of hospitalization.
The night before, neighbors from my residence hall found me outside lying on my back with traces of vomit all over me. I could have died by choking on my own puke — that’s not how I want to be remembered.
The fact that I am alive is nothing short of a miracle. I am petite, weighing in at only 113 lbs.
That night I had three mixed drinks, which I thought would be better than shots. However, I over-poured my drinks.
In hindsight, I realize that I poured about four ounces of vodka in each drink. Now let's use our math skills here — three mixed drinks times four ounces equals about 12 shots. My blood alcohol level was about .50.
A blood alcohol level of .40 causes an individual’s heartbeat and respiration to slow down to the level of a coma. My BAL was off the charts.
It is illegal for me to even consume alcohol, but in college environments, underage alcohol consumption happens.
I also understand that some of this information may be a bit too revealing, perhaps even damaging to my reputation, but I think my story is important.
Many of us drink, but another thing we may do that can have deadly consequences is to underestimate our issues. We may think getting too drunk, blacking out or throwing up is not a big deal, but it is.
Education is also important. Meaning, if one continues to drink it’s important to understand the proper amount, especially in my case, where I drank too much for my body weight.
Tears stain my face whenever I think of what could have happened to me that night, especially if my friendly neighbors had not run into me outside.
I appreciate the fact that they cared enough to look out for me. Not everyone ends up that lucky. I truly believe they saved my life.
Maybe others' damaging episodes with alcohol are not as dramatic as mine, but if drinking is causing more harm than good, it is clearly a problem.
I knew of all the possible risks that can come with drinking too much, but did that stop me from doing so? No. I may have dangerously misused that night, and because of that, I am proud to say that I am seeking help so that night will be history and never happen again.
We don't want to acknowledge that our habits are no good, but it is better to accept the fact that there may be a problem than to have to learn the hard way — or not learn at all because of 6 feet of dirt.
