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Fast Facts

In fatal crashes in 2005, 75 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed. (NHTSA 2005 Traffic Safety Facts Occupant Protection)

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HEALTH Health Risks of Alcohol Consumption

Posted: June 28, 2002
By: Sheyna Strommen

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Quick reference points about alcohol consumption.


  • What North Dakotans perceive as "social" alcohol consumption is three times higher than the amount generally accepted as "social" by the rest of the nation.

  • North Dakotans consider six alcoholic drinks as "social" drinking, whereas the rest of the national considers zero to two alcoholic drinks "social" drinking. [Source: John Wieglenda, Heart River Alcohol and Drug Abuse Service]

  • Alcohol is more likely to be related to death and injury than all other illicit drugs combined. [Source: Former Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, PhD]

  • The effects of alcohol on a person depend on several factors. The number of drinks consumed, the period of time over which the alcohol was consumed, and a person's body weight all contribute to the effects of alcohol.

  • Alcohol content in a 12-ounce beer, a 4-ounce glass of wine, and a 1-ounce glass of hard alcohol, such as whiskey or scotch, is about the same. [Source: NDDOT]

  • Numerous serious psychological and physical health risks are associated with alcohol. Alcohol reduces brain activity, causing many psychological problems. Impaired brain functions include confusion, slowed reaction time, loss of concentration, balance, memory, black outs, and slurred speech.
    [Source: NDDOT]

  • The psychological effects of alcohol can lead to other risky behaviors. Alcohol consumption leads to driving under the influence, unprotected sex, sexual assault/rape, injury, and death. [National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Task Force on College Drinking]

  • Alcohol and seat belt use have an inverse relationship. As alcohol consumption increase, the likelihood of using seat belts decreases. [North Dakota "Do Buckle, Don't Booze" campaign]

  • Between the third and fifth drink, brain activity begins to slow. The 'rational' side of the brain becomes controlled by the 'emotional' side of the brain.
    [Source: John Wieglenda, Heart River Alcohol and Drug Abuse Service]

  • Physical health problems arise when alcohol is consumed regularly and in excessive amounts. Alcoholism is a disease that affects many men and women of all ages, and is becoming more common among teens.

  • In North Dakota, the health risks caused by regular and excessive consumption of alcohol are just as serious as one night of "binge" drinking.
[end of article]