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In adult society today, alcohol is almost everywhere we look—beer has become a central point of social gatherings, a rum and coke helps us break the ice in bars, a glass of wine helps us unwind after a long day at the office. While the prevalence of alcohol in today’s society is something that many of us have become accustomed to, the fact that it has become such an accepted part of how we socialize is something we need to take care with.

For the most part, having a drink with dinner or meeting some friends at a bar on a Friday is nothing to worry about. In fact, it can give us something to look forward to—a nice treat at the end of a long day or week.

But when alcohol becomes more than an occasional luxury, when it becomes something we lean on, abuse, or allow to control us, it becomes a problem. While occasional alcohol use has beneficial social, emotional, and even physical effects, the effects of alcohol abuse are not nearly as positive. And the physical and emotional violence and crimes that sometimes accompany excessive alcohol use can be harmful, painful, and even deadly.

What is it About Alcohol?

You might be surprised to learn this, but alcohol is the drug most associated with violent crime. Not meth or cocaine, but alcohol. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), “alcohol is a factor in 40% of all violent crimes today.” Although other, so-called “harder” drugs are often considered “more dangerous” by their classification as scheduled drugs (for example, anything from heroin to Ambien), time and again it is alcohol that more criminals have in their systems. As one study showed specifically, verbal or physical abuse is twice as likely to come from a person under the influence of alcohol than any other drug type.

So, what is it about alcohol that makes it so dangerous? To be sure, one of its most dangerous qualities is its ability to completely trample an individual’s inhibitions and heighten emotions. When an individual is under the influence of alcohol, desires and impulses that would normally be suppressed, ignored, or viewed as inappropriate seem completely acceptable. This is why a shy guy will down some “liquid courage” before approaching a pretty lady, but it’s also the reason for many verbal and physical fights that may not have happened if alcohol had not been a factor.

What Does This Mean?

According to the NCADD, alcohol plays a role in about 3 million violent crimes each year—including sexual assault, domestic abuse, and aggravated assaults. Those responsible for these crimes can face any number of consequences, from fees and community service to years spent locked behind the bars of a prison cell.

If you have been charged with a crime after drinking, get in touch with a local lawyer who is well versed in incidents such as these. While alcohol is never an excuse for engaging in violent acts, showing how it played a role in your behavior can sometimes work as a mitigating factor. Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you don’t deserve someone who will fight for your rights and make sure you receive the strongest defense possible.

About the Author:

Denver-based criminal defense and DUI attorney Jacob E. Martinez is a knowledgeable and experienced litigator with a record of success providing innovative solutions to clients facing criminal charges of any severity. Mr. Martinez has been designated a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers and has been awarded both the Avvo Client’s Choice Award and Avvo Top Attorney designation, evidencing his reputation for his exemplary criminal and DUI defense work and high moral standards.