Drennan Law Firm's Blog

Thanksgiving is an exciting time of year for many people. There is typically a feast, an afternoon of chatting and getting together with friends, and preparation for the exciting Black Friday morning the following day.

This should be an exciting and positive time of year, but it can all go wrong if you decide to drink and drive. Remember, food can contain alcohol, and your drinks can, too. That means that your blood alcohol content might be higher than you expect.

When you're planning to drink alcohol, you probably also make plans for getting home safely. One of the bigger issues is not knowing that alcohol is contained in something you're eating or drinking. For example, you might think you've picked up nonalcoholic egg nog and later find that you actually purchased the wrong one.

There are many foods and drinks that contain alcohol. Sometimes, it's a small amount. Other times, the alcohol can add up and leave you tipsy, so it's important not to drive if you've ingested them. Here are a few unexpected places that you'll find alcohol in everyday food and drinks.

The use of alcohol by those under the age of 21 is a bad thing for a few reasons. First, it's illegal. That means that those who are caught face charges related to underage drinking. Another reason is because it can lead to trouble with substance abuse. Third, it can have an immediate impact on their health.

Alcohol abuse is the most common form of substance abuse in teenagers and children. In fact, it is estimated that at least a third of teens have had a single alcoholic drink by the time they reach 15. By 18, at least 60% of teens have had an alcoholic beverage (beyond just a few sips).

Millions of Americans use alcohol frequently, and thousands of them get arrested in South Carolina every year for driving under the influence (DUI). People who get behind the wheel after drinking enough to become impaired endanger themselves and everyone else on the road, which is why impaired driving is illegal even if no one gets hurt.

Quite a few people who could find themselves facing criminal charges related to impaired driving wind up in their current situation because of a problem with alcohol abuse or dependency. For these individuals, voluntarily deciding to join a substance abuse program or undergo alcohol abuse counseling could be a very wise decision.