OHA release - The Rethink the Drink invites open conversation about alcohol, how people can keep Oregon safe this holiday season. OHA release - Agencies unite to urge Oregonians to ‘Rethink the Drink’ this holiday season. The Rethink the Drink invites open conversation about alcohol, how people can keep Oregon safe this holiday season. PORTLAND, Ore. - As Oregonians prepare to celebrate, gather and reconnect with loved ones this holiday season, state agencies renew their call to “Rethink the Drink” - encouraging people to pause, reflect and make mindful and healthy choices when it comes to their alcohol consumption. Leading this effort is Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Alcohol & Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Through statewide community outreach, they hope to shift the holiday drinking culture in Oregon to reduce the pressure to drink alcohol during family gatherings or holiday parties. This year, Rethink the Drink is encouraging people to come together to help one another be healthy and care for their communities. That includes creating healthy environments that support people in their efforts to drink less. “During celebrations, it’s easy to drink more than we intend to,” says Dr. Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer at OHA. “We can support each other by having honest, compassionate conversations about our drinking - not judging, but looking out for one another.” Holiday events and binge drinking sometimes go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and other dangerous behavior. Binge drinking impairs judgement, slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. “We see the consequences of impaired driving all year, but the risks increase around the holidays,” said Ryan Stone, Impaired Driving Program Analyst at ODOT. “If you plan to drink, plan your ride. A text, a call, or a quick rideshare request can prevent a crash, a DUII, or a tragedy. The people you share the holidays with want you to get home safely.” More Oregon adults drink excessively than most of us realize, more than 1 in 5. Most people in this group are not affected by alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder. However, by drinking excessively, people increase their odds of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life. Holiday gatherings often involve social drinking, which can lead to binge and heavy drinking, patterns of drinking associated with injury, impaired driving and long-term health risks. Each year, more than 2,500 Oregonians die from alcohol-related causes including eight types of cancer, liver disease, heart disease, memory and mental health issues, sleep disruptions and more.