OMAHA, Nebraska - The night before Thanksgiving is one of the most popular partying nights of the year.
UNMC Addiction Psychiatrist Dr. Alena Balasanova tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB Thanksgiving Eve is also called Drungsgiving or Blackout Wednesday. She says, "College students are home, family is in town. Often time there is a bit of anxiety or trepidation so sometimes obviously alcohol is used to take the edge of as a coping mechanism."
Bars are typically very busy on Thanksgiving Eve with many reporting a 23% increase in business compared to the previous Wednesday. With that come concerns. Dr. Balasanova says, "It is the night to account for the most drunk driving accidents in the country. More so than New Year's Eve. More so than Christmas. More so than on St. Patrick's Day."
According to one survey, 25% of those asked say they drink in the morning once the turkey goes into the oven and another 47% have a cocktail when the food prep work is done. Another 23% say they start drinking as soon as family members arrive.
Dr. Balasanova says there is reason to be concerned about the large amount of alcohol consumed. She says, "Particularly in Nebraska where our binge drinking rates are much higher than the national average."
The survey goes on to say that wine is the preferred alcoholic beverage. That is followed with 19% selecting beer and 10% head for the harder alcohol.