What Is Binge Drinking?

binge drinking

Alcohol is a big part of the culture. While it’s okay to partake in one or two drinks at a time, there has been a growing problem with excessive drinking and binging alcohol in recent years. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for men, and four or more drinks for women, within a couple of hours of each other.

Regularly binging can lead to alcohol dependence (also known as alcohol abuse), which is why the month of April has been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month to help spread awareness about the dangers of binge drinking and alcohol abuse.

The Risks of Binge Drinking

Binging on alcohol is more common than you might think. In fact, it’s something that’s even encouraged among younger people, especially in college settings. It’s estimated that one out of every six Americans binges on alcohol and that 25% do so every week. Yet there are significant risks that people should know about when binging alcohol, including the following:

  • Being injured as a result of falls, car accidents, and alcohol poisoning.
  • Being involved in violence (including homicide, assault, and suicide).
  • Developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
  • Getting cancer due to excessive drinking over time.
  • Developing memory and learning problems.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

The following signs could indicate someone is struggling with alcohol abuse:

  • Frequent blackouts or memory lapses
  • Engaging in dangerous activities while under the influence of alcohol
  • Inability to remember how much they drank
  • Cravings for alcohol, which can cause them to drink more than they intended
  • Regularly drinking to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotions
  • Making excuses for their drinking habits and lying about them if necessary
  • Going into withdrawal if they don’t drink
  • Developing a high tolerance for alcohol and needing to drink more in order to achieve the same effects

Avoid Alcohol Binging

Binge drinking can be incredibly dangerous. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol abuse in California, it’s important to seek help immediately. For more health awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

What is Tax ID Theft?

tax ID theft

Trying to ensure that you file your taxes correctly by the April deadline each year can be a challenge. Unfortunately, the difficulty doesn’t end there; the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also warns taxpayers to be on the lookout for tax identity (ID) theft whenever tax season comes around here in California. Tax ID theft is when a criminal uses a person’s Social Security number (SSN) to commit fraud or file a false tax return.

Knowing how to protect yourself from tax ID theft is crucial, which is why the IRS makes such an effort to spread awareness on how to protect yourself against such a crime.

What Can Happen If You Become a Victim of Tax ID Theft?

When you become a victim of tax identification theft, you could potentially end up with an IRS bill for back taxes and penalties. You may even find yourself facing criminal investigation or being blocked from receiving tax refunds. The IRS also warns that if you are a victim of tax ID theft, it may take months for the agency to restore your credit and clear your name.

What Can You Do?

The following are a few tips to prevent your tax ID from being stolen:

  • File your tax return as early as possible: Even if your SSN ends up being stolen, the thief will have less of a chance of being able to steal your tax refund if you’ve already filed your return.
  • Be wary of phishing scams: Phishing scams are emails, texts, or messages sent by criminals. They will often look like they’re coming from the IRS or other tax agencies in an attempt to trick you into revealing your SSN. The IRS will only send you official information and requests in the mail.
  • Protect your SSN: Don’t keep your SSN card in your wallet. Keep it at home in a safe place. Be sure to shred all documents that contain your SSN before throwing them away.

Protect Your SSN

Be careful when filing your taxes to protect yourself from becoming a victim of tax ID theft. For more information on identity theft prevention, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month in California

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and promoting prevention efforts across the nation. As a resident of California, it’s important to acknowledge the state’s unique role in addressing sexual assault and advocating for survivors.

According to a recent report by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), the state has one of the highest rates of reported sexual assault in the nation. In 2019 alone, there were over 17,000 reported cases of sexual assault in California, with an estimated 200,000 survivors living in the state.

California has made significant strides in addressing sexual assault and supporting survivors. The state has implemented several laws and initiatives to increase awareness and provide resources for survivors, including:

  1. California Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights: This law guarantees certain rights to sexual assault survivors, such as the right to have a victim advocate present during forensic exams and interviews with law enforcement.
  2. “Yes Means Yes” Law: This law, also known as the “affirmative consent” law, requires that all parties involved in sexual activity must give affirmative, voluntary, and ongoing consent. It aims to shift the conversation from “no means no” to “yes means yes.”
  3. California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA): This statewide coalition provides training, technical assistance, and resources to agencies and organizations that work with sexual assault survivors.
  4. Rape Crisis Centers: California has more than 80 rape crisis centers that provide a variety of services to survivors, including crisis intervention, counseling, and legal advocacy.

Despite these efforts, sexual assault remains a pervasive issue in California and across the nation. There are several steps that individuals and communities can take to prevent sexual assault, including:

  1. Educating oneself about sexual assault: Learning about the dynamics of sexual assault, the impacts on survivors, and how to support survivors can help prevent sexual assault and support survivors.
  2. Speaking up and intervening: If you witness or suspect sexual assault, it’s important to speak up and intervene if it’s safe to do so.
  3. Challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors: Challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual assault, such as victim-blaming or perpetuating rape culture, can help shift the conversation and prevent sexual assault.
  4. Supporting survivors: Providing support and resources to survivors, such as listening to them and connecting them with resources like rape crisis centers, can help them heal and recover.

In conclusion, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an important opportunity to raise awareness, promote prevention efforts, and support survivors of sexual assault. California has made important strides in addressing sexual assault, but there is still much work to be done. By educating ourselves, speaking up, challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors, and supporting survivors, we can work together to prevent sexual assault and create safer communities for all.

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Sport Eye Safety in California

Sport eye safety is an important topic in California, where outdoor activities like soccer, basketball, and baseball are popular among people of all ages. While these sports can be fun and exhilarating, they also pose a risk of eye injuries, which can have serious and long-lasting consequences. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of sport eye safety in California and some tips to protect your eyes while playing sports.

The importance of sport eye safety cannot be overstated. Eye injuries can occur in any sport and at any level of play, from amateur to professional. The most common types of eye injuries in sports include corneal abrasions, orbital fractures, and traumatic cataracts. These injuries can lead to vision loss, blindness, and even permanent disability. Therefore, it is crucial to take steps to protect your eyes while playing sports.

One of the most effective ways to protect your eyes during sports is to wear appropriate protective eyewear. This includes goggles or safety glasses that are specifically designed for the sport you are playing. For example, basketball players should wear goggles that are designed to protect against impact from a ball, while soccer players should wear glasses that are resistant to impact from cleats. Make sure to select protective eyewear that fits comfortably and provides adequate protection for your eyes.

In addition to wearing appropriate protective eyewear, there are other steps you can take to protect your eyes while playing sports. These include:

  • Keeping your eyes well hydrated by drinking plenty of water before and during the game
  • Avoiding playing sports in bright sunlight, or wearing sunglasses with UV protection if you must play in bright sunlight
  • Avoiding playing sports when you have an eye infection or allergy that can affect your vision
  • Practicing good eye hygiene by washing your hands and face regularly, and avoiding touching your eyes with your hands

Finally, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an eye injury. These include pain, redness, swelling, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

In conclusion, sport eye safety is an important topic in California, where outdoor activities are popular among people of all ages. By taking steps to protect your eyes while playing sports, you can reduce your risk of eye injuries and ensure that you can continue to enjoy these activities for years to come. Remember to wear appropriate protective eyewear, stay hydrated, and practice good eye hygiene. With these simple steps, you can help keep your eyes healthy and safe while playing sports.

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4 Risks of Living Without Insurance

Living Without Insurance

It’s estimated that around 30 million Americans don’t have health insurance. This accounts for around 9.2% of the population. Unfortunately, a lot of people see health insurance as an unnecessary expense, especially if they feel they are healthy and don’t need medical care — at the moment. However, you’re taking a massive risk by living without insurance, even if you are healthy.

Why Living Without Insurance Is Risky

The following are some of the risks associated with not having health insurance.

  1. Expensive Medical Bills: If something unexpected happens and you need medical care, it can be incredibly expensive if you don’t have insurance. Without having a health plan, you’ll have to pay for everything out of pocket. Depending on the type of care you need, this could total tens of thousands of dollars.
  2. Increased Risk of Bankruptcy: Because of how expensive medical care is without health insurance, you could find yourself in massive amounts of debt if you need treatment. This could easily lead to bankruptcy and ruin your credit rating in the process. In fact, medical bills account for almost 40% of all bankruptcies filed in the U.S.
  3. Lack of Precautionary Care: People without insurance are less likely to get regular check-ups or screenings. This means they won’t be able to catch any illnesses early on and won’t have access to preventive care. This can put their health at risk, especially if they have a chronic condition that needs regular monitoring and treatment. Catching certain conditions in the early stages can be the difference between life and death.
  4. Limited Treatment Options: Without health insurance, you may find yourself limited to certain treatment options. This could mean settling for a less-effective treatment option or skipping out on necessary treatments altogether. These decisions could also have a long-term impact on your health.

Get Health Insurance Today

There are too many risks to living without insurance, even if you don’t have any health issues at the present. For more information about health insurance in California, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store.