Blind Stupidity of Vodka Eyeballing

The news networks and TV shows are in a tizzy over a new phenomenon called Vodka Eyeballing. While this is brand new to the U.S. I had never ever heard of it before) it is not brand new to drunk teenagers, college students, and young rugby athletes.

This "drinking game" began somewhere in the UK where people think it is a fun challenge to out-do their mate in getting intoxicated. My best guess is they figured that drinking Vodka didn't give them a buzz quick enough, so someone said, "I bet if we pour it directly in our eyes, the buzz will go straight to our brains!"

Seriously though, there is really a theory that Vodka will absorb more quickly through the mucus membranes, but that theory is wrong. The best way to get drunk off of Vodka, if you are going to get drunk off of Vodka is the drink it straight- no chaser, and probably on an empty stomach. Sure, you will risk alcohol poisoning, but if you live through it, you won't be blind.

Yes, pouring Vodka in your eye, will ruin your eyesight. Go figure. It might look like fun, but it is not a laughing matter. Vodka will burn your cornea. Your eyesight will get hazy. You can potentially cause permanent and life long damage. And by the way, it hurts... a lot, but I guess that escapes you when you are already drunk.

So what is a concerned parent supposed to do? There are now reports that the teenage brain is not quite developed and so they do stupid things. I think we underestimate kids. I brought up the subject to my teens yesterday. I said, "kids, are you aware of something called Vodka Eyeballing?" "I don't even want to know what that is", my son said. I pushed on and informed him that there are teenagers and college students pouring Vodka into their eyes thinking it will help them get drunk faster. "Why that's plain stupid", they said. I went on to explain the actual damage that it does to the eye, the pain involved, and the permanent damage done to the eye.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't think my kids are saints and won't do stupid things. However, I feel that if you have the conversation, and even let your kid lead it when they are young, and sober, that they will think twice when presented with the activity when they are older, and potentially drunken.