Study: 1 in 5 unaware they are binge drinkers
According to rehabs.com, one in five Michiganders are unaware they are binge drinkers. With so much time spent indoors, or in one place, it’s easy to get carried away with doing something without even realizing it. A glass of wine after the day’s last meeting may be the norm, but that seemingly harmless glass can turn into a whole bottle.
This habit may seem insignificant or inconsequential, but very few actually realize that they are binge drinking. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines binge drinking as consuming four alcoholic drinks in a twohour span for women, and six alcoholic drinks within two hours for men. It can also be defined as a pattern of drinking that raises an individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08.
A leading provider of addiction treatment resources, Rehabs.com conducted a survey of 3,500 respondents and found that almost one in five drinkers in Michigan (18%) are unaware that they are binge drinkers. Broken down by gender, it was found that more men are unaware of their excessive drinking compared to women. Consuming this volume of alcohol once in a while might seem trivial,
however, binge drinking is associated with a number of dangers, including increased risk of alcohol poisoning, which is responsible for around 2,200 deaths each year in the United States alone. Binge drinking also increases an individual’s risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and liver disease.
Drinking alone is associated with its own set of dangers, such as increased risk of injury and excessive consumption. One might assume it is safer to drink with others around, but responses
show that 75% of drinkers often lose track of how many alcoholic beverages they consume when they are drinking with friends. However, 42% of respondents admit they actively avoid friends who binge drink.
Concerningly, one in three (34%) respondents believe it is acceptable to binge drink on special occasions, such as a birthday celebration.
Finally, it was also found that beer is the primary beverage of choice when people binge drink, followed by wine, spirits and cocktails.
Warren residents wishing to roast marshmallows over their backyard fire pit are in luck. Warren City Council unanimously approved the “first read” of an amendment to the city’s open burning ordinance that will allow fire pits and chimineas.
The proposed amendment will now go to the city’s legal department, which has 10 days to review it and return it to council. Council Secretary Mindy Moore indicated the fire pit ordinance will be on the March 23 City Council agenda for a second read.
Burning would not be allowed between the hours of 1 a.m. and 11 a.m. and all open burning must be done in a receptacle that meets city specifications. All fire pits and chimineas must be constructed of metal, ceramic or brick and mortar and must have a spark arrestor made of iron, heavy wire mesh or other noncombustible material. No fire is to be left unattended without at least one person over the age of 18 observing it. It will still be illegal to burn garbage, leaves, animal carcuses or “materials giving off foul odors of any kind.”
The city’s open burning ordinance also specifies that fires in approved containers should not be less than 15 feet from any structure.
The amendments to the city’s burn ordinance were first introduced by city council in April of 2020. Moore said at that time, council was given a proposal from the firefighters union that depicted what it deemed proper information to be included in a burn ordinance allowing fire pits and chimineas. Language from that document was used for the proposed amendments to Warren’s burn ordinance.
Moore said she and other council members were approached by firefighters and police officers asking them to amend the existing burn ordinance so “they are not going out and taking away approved fire pits from families.”
“Unfortunately, I think some people still did it because they thought we already had an ordinance,” said Moore. “During this pandemic time, people were so limited in what they could do, and that was one thing that families could do in their backyard was have a nice little fire pit.”
Residents have been outspoken on both sides of the issue. Those in favor of amending the ordinance say surrounding cities allow popular fire pits and chimineas and Warren is not in step with neighboring communities.
“We are expecting residents to burn a reasonable backyard fire in their fire pit in an approved container, whether it is store bought or one constructed within the confines of the ordinance,” said Councilman Jonathan Lafferty. “I do not see this as an issue, it is time to get with modern times. This is a good change in our ordinance and something, I will be honest with you, that I found going door-to-door that most people are doing anyway.”
Lafferty said he has confidence that residents will act responsibly and does not expect an “apocalyptic cloud of black smoke” hovering over Warren once the council gives the ordinance amendments final approval.
Some residents still contend that a change to the existing burn ordinance could endanger the health of those with allergies or other conditions that affect breathing.
“I am not in favor of changing the amendment,” said resident Pat Bernieri. “I have concerns about the burning of wood and air pollution; carcinogenic material being released into the air, susceptible individuals with asthma and COPD will be placed at risk. I also have concerns about liability issues. In the event of property damage to neighboring homes, would homeowners insurance cover the damages?”