Skip to main content

Summer Drinking Poses Unique And Sobering Risks

By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 20, 2025.

via HealthDay

SATURDAY, July 19, 2025 — Lift a toast to summer fun but don’t let risky drinking ruin the party.

Too much alcohol can be deadly in the summer heat, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns.

And 1 in 6 Americans is a binge drinker.

"Think before you drink," the institute urges. "Avoiding beverages containing alcohol while piloting a boat, driving a car, exploring the wilderness, and swimming or surfing can also help keep you and your loved ones safe."

The risks are sobering:

"Drinking more can lead to higher blood alcohol concentrations … especially if the amount of alcohol in is greater than what someone is accustomed to at home," the institute warns.

Here’s some more summer-specific advice:

Goin’ swimming? Keep in mind that more drownings occur in July than any other month of the year, the institute warns. Swimmers whose judgment is impaired by alcohol are more likely to take dangerous risks. Beware of going into deep water or staying in so long you get chilled and develop hypothermia. Even around a pool, horsing around can be dangerous. Tipsy divers may hit the board or dive where the water is too shallow.

In a boat: An average-size woman (171 pounds) who has four drinks can reach a 0.08% BAC in two hours; an average guy (198 pounds) will reach that level at five — or even sooner, based on health status, medications and the like. Your odds of a fatal crash begin to rise with the first drink you slurp down.

"Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time," according to the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. "It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion."

The risk doesn’t stop with the driver. Drunken passengers can slip on deck, fall overboard or have accidents at the dock.

Dehydration risk: Heat plus alcohol can spell trouble. Hot summer days cause fluid loss through perspiration and the need to urinate more often. "Together, they can quickly lead to dehydration or heat strokes."

Think before you drink: Don’t imbibe on an empty stomach. Food can slow alcohol absorption and reduce its peak level in the body by about one-third, the institute notes. Offer alcohol-free alternatives like water, sparkling sodas or juice to counteract dehydration and slow the rate of alcohol absorption into the body and help prevent a hangover.

Plan ahead: Have a designated driver or be prepared to call a taxi or ride-hailing service so no one who has had any alcohol gets behind the wheel. If you’re a parent, understand underage drinking laws and set a good example.

Sources

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, news release, June 2025

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Societal Stress Driving Trans, Gender-Diverse To Drink

FRIDAY, July 11, 2025 — Societal stress could be driving some transgender and gender-diverse people to the bottle, a small-scale study says. People whose gender identity...

Menstrual Cycle Might Play A Role In Drinking

MONDAY, June 23, 2025 — A woman’s craving for alcohol might depend partially on her menstrual cycle, a pilot study says. Specifically, women appear to have higher...

Alcohol-Linked Liver Deaths Rising in Women and Young Adults

FRIDAY, June 13, 2025 — Alcohol-related liver disease deaths are increasing — and they’re rising faster in some groups, including women, young adults and...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.