For many, Thanksgiving eve is a time of preparation and expectation for a joyous holiday. For others, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a night when heavy drinking is highlighted and even encouraged. Blackout Wednesday earned its name from the “blacking out” many people experience due to excessive drunkenness. In the suburbs of Chicago in particular, Blackout Wednesday is considered thebiggest drinking night of the year.
While everyone should enjoy the upcoming holidays, it’s important to realize that binge drinking events like Blackout Wednesday can present many dangers to your health and the safety of others.
What Is Blackout Wednesday?
Also known as Drinksgiving, Blackout Wednesday or Black Wednesday has become the first drinking weekend of the holiday season. In many ways, itrivals New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day in the amount of alcohol people end up consuming.Sadly, the moniker of Blackout Wednesday promotes and potentially normalizes hazardous drinking.This unofficial party night is celebrated among many groups of people, from college students to business professionals.
Several factors have likely contributed to the night before Thanksgiving becoming a time for drunken revelry:
- People who have off work for Thanksgiving are looking to let their hair down after a short workweek.
- College students who have just come of age return home and want to celebrate with old friends.
- Some are bracing for awkward or uncomfortable family gatherings the next day.
The Dangers of Blackout Wednesday
In many ways, Blackout Wednesday is a perfect storm of problematic drinking behaviors. Between justified binge drinking and an abundance of bar promotions and events, this surge of drunkenness carries a variety of potentially dangerous consequences.
1. It Normalizes Binge Drinking
When it comes to single drinking events like Blackout Wednesday, people often rationalize that it’s okay to binge drink. They think that this type of drinking is okay since it’s not habitual, and they minimize the danger that comes with it.
2. It Contributes to Problematic Drinking Habits and Addiction
Binge drinking and addiction don’t necessarily go hand in hand. However, the more you justify problematic drinking, the easier it is to develop an alcohol use problem later on. Addiction is a progressive condition, and even a single episode of binge drinking can contribute to a pattern of problematic drinking behaviors.
3. It Puts Driver Safety at Risk
During Thanksgiving weekend, more people are out driving than usual as they travel to holiday gatherings. Sadly, theNational Safety Council estimates thatmore than 400 people may die on the roadsduring the Thanksgiving holiday period in a given year. Alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor to fatal car crashes. Blackout Wednesday can lead to your own death or the death of those just trying to get where they’re going.
4. It Increases Your Risk of a DUI Charge
Throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, most U.S. cities increase patrol cars and roadside safety checkpoints to look out for people driving under the influence. By choosing to drive drunk after celebrating Blackout Wednesday, you put yourself at risk of major legal consequences.
5. It’s Potentially Fatal
Binge drinking accounts fornearly half of all alcohol-related deathsin the U.S. — meaning that a night of risky intoxication could be your last.
Effects of Binge Drinking
Blackout Wednesday is an excuse for many to indulge in binge drinking. This type of drinking occurs when you consume four or more alcoholic drinks in a two-hour period. This dangerous pattern of alcohol use is both common and deadly. While most people who binge drink do not have a severe alcohol addiction, even a single night of excessive drunkenness can have serious effects on your physical health, such as:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Unintentional injuries from falls, car crashes or burns
- Violence from fights, abuse or homicide
- Sexual assault
- Risky sexual behaviors resulting in STDs
- Damage to internal organs, including your liver, heart, kidneys, lungs and pancreas
- Contributing to the development of an alcohol use disorder
ChooseHealth and Recovery This Blackout Wednesday
Binge drinking is a very common behavior, especially during special events like Blackout Wednesday. However, just because a behavior is widespread and popular does not mean that it should be observed. This holiday season, celebrate safely and responsibly with your friends and family.
If you find that your binge drinking is getting out of control, you could be struggling with alcohol addiction. The team at Gateway Foundation can help. Our evidence-basedalcohol addiction treatmentsprovide personalized care to ensure you get the help you need.Contact us todayto learn more.
Gateway Foundation is a recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment proven to get results. Our experts in Addiction Medicine—including highly educated clinical and medical professionals and expert psychiatrists and nurses—deliver care that never stops. For over 50 years, Gateway Foundation has been helping individuals and their families recover from addictions and behavioral health issues and is the only provider that covers the entire state of Illinois with 16 facilities from the Wisconsin Border to the Kentucky Border. Gateway has specific programs focusing on substance use disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring issues. We’re licensed by the state of Illinois and accredited by the Joint Commission. We are in-network with all the major commercial insurance plans. Gateway Foundation: Addiction medicine, saving lives.
As a seasoned expert in addiction medicine and substance abuse, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the critical issue addressed in the provided article. My extensive background in the field allows me to discuss the various concepts related to Blackout Wednesday, binge drinking, and the associated dangers.
Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving or Black Wednesday, is a cultural phenomenon that has gained prominence as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday drinking season. This term is particularly popular in the suburbs of Chicago, where it is considered the biggest drinking night of the year. The night before Thanksgiving becomes a time for heavy drinking, highlighted by excessive alcohol consumption.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
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Blackout Wednesday and its Significance:
- Blackout Wednesday is described as the first drinking weekend of the holiday season, rivaling New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day in terms of alcohol consumption.
- It is a night marked by excessive drunkenness, earning its name from the phenomenon of individuals "blacking out" due to heavy drinking.
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Factors Contributing to Blackout Wednesday:
- People off work for Thanksgiving seek to unwind after a short workweek.
- College students who have recently come of age return home and want to celebrate with friends.
- Some individuals anticipate awkward family gatherings and turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
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Dangers of Blackout Wednesday:
- Normalization of binge drinking, potentially leading to the development of problematic drinking habits and addiction.
- Increased risk of accidents, particularly car crashes, during the Thanksgiving weekend.
- Elevated risk of DUI charges due to heightened law enforcement vigilance.
- Binge drinking on Blackout Wednesday can have fatal consequences, contributing to nearly half of all alcohol-related deaths in the U.S.
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Effects of Binge Drinking:
- Binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks in a two-hour period, is a common and deadly pattern of alcohol use.
- Serious physical health effects include alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, violence, risky sexual behaviors, and damage to internal organs.
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Promotion of Safe Celebrations:
- The article emphasizes the need for safe and responsible celebration during the holiday season.
- Gateway Foundation, a recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment, is mentioned as a resource for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
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Gateway Foundation:
- Gateway Foundation is highlighted as a reputable organization providing evidence-based addiction treatment.
- The foundation's team of experts, including clinical and medical professionals, offers personalized care for individuals and families dealing with addictions and behavioral health issues.
In conclusion, the information provided underscores the importance of understanding the risks associated with Blackout Wednesday and binge drinking, advocating for safe and responsible celebrations during the holiday season, and offering support for those grappling with alcohol addiction through the Gateway Foundation's evidence-based treatments.
