Alcohol

Safety Tips

Here are some tips for staying safe and keeping your drinking at a level you won’t regret. You’ll also avoid those not-so-fun morning after apologies and “I did what?” questions.

• Pace yourself. It takes 30 to 45 minutes for the alcohol in a drink to really hit you, so be careful. Shots of liquor may leave you feeling fine at first; when the effects really kick in you’ll feel clobbered. Drink slowly to avoid sudden feelings of intoxication. Sip your drink slowly, and watch out for drinks such as flavored martinis or jungle juice that sometimes don’t even taste like they have alcohol in them. Remember, if it comes with an umbrella or tastes really sweet, chances are it will go down easily, so take it slow to make sure it stays down.
• Alternate alcohol with water/ hydrating drinks. Alcohol causes dehydration. To avoid a nasty hangover and getting sick, drink at least one cup of water or juice for every alcoholic drink you have. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Know your limits. Everything from your drinking habits, to height, weight, gender and medications can have an impact on how much you can safely drink in one sitting. Check out our BAC calculator to get a good estimate of how the amount of drinks you consume can affect the amount of alcohol in your blood. You’ll get a good idea of when it’s time to call it quits. Alcohol affects everyone differently, so pay attention to how you feel. Don’t be afraid to take a time out when your friends dive in for another round.
• Ditch the pre-game. You may find it tempting to throw back a couple of drinks before heading out for the night, but if you’re downing shots before you even get to the bar, you may find yourself in the bathroom (as the party’s buzzkill) or worse, in a dangerous situation. Hold off on drinking until you get there. If you have to be drunk to go in the first place, what’s the point?
• Munch on munchies. Food in your stomach slows the absorption of alcohol, preventing you from getting too drunk too fast. Have a good dinner before you start drinking, and snack on food throughout the night if it’s available.
• Don’t try to “keep up.” It’s never smart to go one for one with someone four times your size, or a pal who can down a case of beer and still be thirsty. Just because a friend can hold his or her liquor better than you doesn’t mean you need to compete drink for drink. You can easily keep your alcohol intake at a reasonable level by drinking with someone who has a low tolerance for alcohol. You’ll both be cheaper dates.
• Use the buddy system. Make sure you’re going out with friends who will keep an eye on you and make sure you’re not drinking too much or putting yourself in a dangerous situation. Listen to your friends if they tell you you’ve had too much, but make it a two-way street: keep an eye on your friends and their alcohol intake as well.