Drinking Alcohol in Extreme Cold: Is It Dangerous?

When cold weather hits, many people think drinking alcohol can help them stay warm. But according to health specialists, this idea can be dangerous. Alcohol does not protect the body from the cold. In fact, it increases the risk of hypothermia, accidents, and other serious health problems.

A false feeling of warmth

Alcohol creates a false feeling of warmth by pushing blood toward the skin. This can make a person feel warmer for a short time, but in reality, the body is losing heat faster to the environment. Meanwhile, vital organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys are less protected, and body temperature can drop without the person realizing it, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Hypothermia: a higher risk in extreme cold

Information from the Cleveland Clinic shows that drinking alcohol in very cold weather greatly increases the risk of hypothermia. When someone feels warm, they may be tempted to remove their jacket, gloves, or other protective clothing.
Specialists also explain that if snow or rain makes a person wet, the danger becomes even worse because the body loses heat much faster when wet.

Alcohol and poor judgment

Alcohol affects a person’s ability to make good decisions. Someone who has been drinking may take risks they normally would not take, such as walking far in the snow, staying outside too long, or underestimating the danger of low temperatures. These behaviors increase the risk of accidents and death.

Dehydration: a hidden danger

Specialists also remind us that alcohol dehydrates the body. It makes people urinate more, and in cold weather, many people do not feel thirsty. Dehydration makes it harder for the body to control its temperature, putting the person at greater risk.

A greater threat for people with heart problems

For people with heart conditions, the danger is even greater. Drinking alcohol in the cold can speed up the heart rate, cause irregular heart rhythms, and hide warning signs that would allow for quick medical help, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Drinking alcohol in cold weather is a risky combination. To reduce danger, specialists advise limiting or avoiding alcohol, wearing warm clothes, staying dry, drinking water regularly, and making careful decisions. In cold weather, prevention and awareness can make all the difference.

Justin Gilles