Faux-cohol for the New Year?
December 31, 2009
Consider this as you get ready for your New Year’s celebration tonight… What if you could drink all you want, then pop a pill to become sober?
Apparently, there are some researchers working on just the very thing: an alcohol substitute that gives you a buzz, but comes with an “antidote” that sobers you up and prevents a hangover.
At first glance, this sounds like a great advancement for society. Think of the possible benefits… a reduction in drunk driving accidents… less public rowdiness… no more pesky sunglasses after a night of binge drinking…
I sit here, though, and wonder if this doesn’t bring about a whole new set of health questions:
- What if you get so drunk that you pass out before you can take your “sober pill”?
- Can you get faux-alcohol poisoning by consuming more than your body can take?
and money questions:
- How much more would you be charged for this than a drink with regular alcohol?
- What about fraud? (I mean, how would you know until later if you had real or faux alcohol)
and moral questions:
- Would drinking at lunch (or even worse, on the job) now be considered socially acceptable?
- What if an alcoholic switched to faux-cohol to hide his/her problem?
Regardless, sounds like such a world is a far way off. According to the article, this idea is still without corporate backing, and it’s unclear if this could even be regulated or approved. So, in the meantime, you will just have to consume your alcohol in moderation (except for maybe tonight!)
Happy New Year 🙂