Drinking can be fun, let’s be honest. And, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few casual beverages from time to time, however, too much alcohol can sometimes lead to injuries, accidents and serious embarrassment.
So, if you’re looking for ways to drink more safely, Drinks House 247 have put together some tips on how to enjoy and drink responsibly.
It’s always a good idea to have something to eat before you start drinking, this is because food in the stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed more slowly. So, try to have a balanced and filling meal beforehand.
Or, enjoy a few drinks with dinner. Whether you’re out at a restaurant or cooking at home, you can have a combination of food and alcohol.
Before going out, you might go to someone’s house for pre-drinks, which is where things could get a bit messy.
Instead of missing out on socialising, try to avoid playing drinking games and taking shots if you want to drink responsibly, suggest playing pool or having a dance. If your friends want to play drinking games, you can participate with a non-alcoholic drink if you don’t want to miss out.
If shots or cocktails are usually your downfall, switch to another drink like beer or wine. However, this doesn’t mean you can have endless amounts of these, it just means that they won’t ‘sneak up on you’ as much as the harder stuff.
It's best to stick to one type of alcoholic drink as mixing makes it much harder to keep track of how many units you're consuming, so it's very likely you'll end up consuming more.
Remember, a standard drink is a can or bottle of mid-strength beer, 125ml of wine or a 25ml shot of spirit. However, drinks served in bars or restaurants usually contain more than a standard serving.
A good rule of thumb is to stick to one drink per hour. You can sip your drink while talking or dancing, rather than hanging out at the bar and taking shots. This will also allow you to pace yourself better and listen to your body. You could also try rotating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or water, to give yourself a little break. Take your time and enjoy!
Before going on a night out, it's a good idea to choose a limit for yourself a make a mental note to stick to this throughout the night. A great way to stay on track with this is to buy your own drinks instead of participating in rounds. Plus, you're likely to spend less as well.
Always make sure you try to finish your drink before you start another, rather than topping up your glass. This will slower your pace and let others know you aren't ready for another.
However, if you feel uncomfortable turning down drinks, or you believe you might be peer-pressured into it, have a few phrases in mind such as:
If you find this isn't helping, you can drink water, soda, or even a mocktail. Typically, when someone has a glass in hand, people are less likely to offer you another drink.
Sometimes drinking responsibly doesn’t just mean focusing on the alcohol intake. It’s important to remember to stick with your friends and ensure you travel home together rather than alone.
This tip should be at the top of your list. Under any circumstances, do not drink and drive. If you’re organising a night out, make sure you have a designated driver or have pre-booked a taxi home.
If you like to drink at home, there are a few things you should consider for responsible drinking.
Stocking up on alcohol is the quickest way to sabotage your plan to drink responsibly. Instead, buy individual cans, single servings or half size bottles as well as the same amount of alcohol-free or low-alcohol options if you know you'll want to drink these in between.
When pouring your own spirits, watch out for that heavy-hand! Purchasing a drinks measure is a must for tracking how much you're drinking.
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