Do you notice your drinking habits changing when temperatures start to drop? As the days grow shorter and the nights grow colder, many people find themselves reaching for a drink more often during the winter months. But is it possible that the winter weather can actually impact your alcohol tolerance?
With holiday parties, happy hours, and warm spiked beverages becoming seasonal staples, it’s important for Maryland residents to understand how cold weather might — or might not — affect their response to alcohol. Let’s explore what science says about the relationship between cold weather and alcohol and share key tips for staying safe while enjoying a drink during the frosty Northern winter.
Cold weather drinking: myth or reality?
Have you ever wondered why people from certain snowy regions (like Russia, for example) are often depicted as being heavy drinkers? The reason could be that drinking alcohol can trick you into thinking you’re warm, even when you aren’t. But is that alcohol getting people drunk faster?
There is no scientific evidence indicating that cold weather reduces your alcohol tolerance. In contrast, research does suggest that people tend to get inebriated more easily in warm weather. The reason is that high temperatures cause people to sweat, thus increasing the concentration of alcohol in the body.
So why do so many people believe they get more easily intoxicated during the winter months? This misconception likely stems from the fact that, while cold temperatures don’t affect how our bodies metabolize alcohol, winter weather can lead to increased alcohol consumption.
Why do people consume more alcohol during the winter?
Studies have shown that alcohol consumption and incidences of alcohol-related disease increase as temperatures decrease. Here are a few possible explanations for why people appear to consume more alcohol in cold climates:
Holiday celebrations
It’s no secret that many people find themselves inundated with invitations to various holiday and end-of-year celebrations during the winter months. These gatherings often feature an abundance of drinks, leading many to consume alcohol more frequently and in larger quantities than usual. Alcohol consumption often feels more normalized during these festivities, prompting some to adopt a “Hey, it’s the holidays!” mindset, which further encourages increased drinking.
Less daylight
Once winter rolls around, many parts of the U.S. (including Maryland) experience shorter periods of daylight. As it starts getting darker earlier, some people may opt to begin drinking sooner each day than they would if the sun was out shining in full force. There’s no need for the “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” attitude when you can simply look outside and say, “Hey, it’s already dark out – might as well pour myself a beverage!” Longer periods of darkness can essentially make people extend their drinking windows, thus leading to increased consumption over time.
Warm and fuzzies
One scientific consideration that may lead to increased alcohol use in winter is the fact that drinking alcohol often creates an internal sensation of warmth, even if outside temperatures are frigid. When we consume alcohol, our heart rates increase, and blood rushes to the surface of our skin and extremities. This leads to an increased sensation of warmth and tingling throughout the body.
What are the risks of increased alcohol consumption?
Having a few drinks during the winter months can be fun, but in the absence of safety precautions, the combination of alcohol and freezing temperatures can create a dangerous cocktail all on its own.
When people are drinking more heavily, the most obvious cause for concern, from a legal standpoint, is the potentially dangerous conditions this creates on public roadways. During the holidays, in particular, people aren’t just drinking more – they’re traveling more. When more people are drinking, and more people are driving, more people are likely to find themselves in hot water for DUIs or DWIs. When you drive drunk, you don’t just pose a threat to yourself – you pose a threat to the safety of everyone else on the road.
In Maryland, over 5,500 traffic accidents involving impaired drivers took place in 2023. In an effort to crack down on these drunk driving incidents, the State passed legislation in 2024 that requires all individuals convicted of drunk driving to install ignition interlocks in their vehicles. These devices prevent drivers from starting their cars if their blood alcohol content is too high, so people with DUI convictions are less likely to reoffend.
Other cold-weather concerns
In addition to drunk driving incidents, there are a number of other potential legal issues that may arise due to increased alcohol consumption in winter. Alcohol tends to lower our inhibitions and inflame our tempers, neither of which bodes well for crime prevention. Some crimes that may occur more frequently as a result of increased alcohol consumption include:
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Homicide
- Public intoxication
- Property damage
- Robbery
Being charged with any of these crimes can lead to dire legal consequences. This is why it is so important to keep your alcohol use in check, even if the winter weather makes you want to do otherwise!
In addition to these legal risks, increased alcohol consumption in the winter can lead to very real concerns about hypothermia. Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives to extreme cold, and a significant number of those deaths involve alcohol. In 2015, the city of Baltimore reported that alcohol was a factor in 50% of hypothermia-related deaths that year.
Due to alcohol’s aforementioned warming effects and its ability to depress the nervous system, people who get intoxicated outdoors in freezing temperatures may not even realize how cold they are until it is too late. Maryland residents are strongly encouraged to avoid consuming large quantities of alcohol outdoors to reduce the risks of weather-related conditions such as hypothermia, frostbite and even death.
Stay safe this winter
If you’re heading out for a night of fun in the winter weather, here are a few precautions you can rely on to reduce the risk of alcohol-related legal or health issues:
- Use a designated driver if you’re going out with a group
- Call a cab or ride-share service like Uber or Lyft if no one is sober enough to drive
- Dress appropriately for the weather, even if you don’t plan on being outside for long
- Avoid consuming large quantities of alcohol outside in the cold
- Keep track of how much alcohol you’re drinking and try to alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Most importantly, know your limits. Winter is a time for celebration, not regret.
If, however, you find yourself facing legal trouble this winter, you don’t have to go it alone. Whether it’s a DUI or another alcohol-related charge, Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law has your back.
Give me a call at 410-210-4873 or fill out the contact form on my website to schedule a consultation. I’ll do everything I can to help you navigate the legal process with ease and confidence.
Remember: Keep Calm, and Call Drew.
[