Alcohol is a popular way to socialize and relax, but it comes with risks. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to stay safe when drinking. One of the best tips is to pace yourself and drink in small doses. It will help you know when you’ve had enough and reduce the risk of alcohol-related problems.
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Know Your Limits
When it comes to drinking, knowing your limits can go a long way toward keeping you and those around you safe. Whether you’re heading out for the evening or planning a night in, it’s essential to consider your health and safety. Everyone has alcohol consumption rules, usually based on body weight, age, gender, and medical history. The most reputable of these rules will allow you to enjoy a night out without inflicting harm on yourself or those around you. To help you determine your limit, here are a few tips for safely consuming alcoholic beverages: First and foremost, keeping track of how much you drink is a good idea. It will let you know when to slow down or when it’s time to call it a night. Use a buddy system or a phone app to help you track how much you’re drinking if you’re seeking the best approach to do it. The most crucial thing is to ensure you get home safely and intact, even though there are several things to remember regarding alcohol. You can have the finest night out on the town while avoiding excessive drinking with some planning and preparation, or drink alcohol-free drinks like craft tequila to be safer from a hangover.
Don’t Mix Alcohol and Drugs
Medications prescribed or sold over the counter can interact with alcohol in harmful ways. Combining the substances can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, or drowsiness. It also can cause internal bleeding, difficulty breathing, and even death. The medications you take for several health issues, including allergies, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep problems, can all be unsafe when mixed with alcohol. For example, antihistamines that make you drowsy when you take them can worsen the sedating effects of alcohol. For these reasons, it’s essential to read the drug labels carefully and ask your doctor about any potential interactions with alcohol. It’s critical for older adults, who are more likely to have a variety of medications that can be hazardous if combined with alcoholic drinks. Medications like pain relievers and multi-symptom remedies containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be avoided when mixed with alcohol. These drugs can increase the risk of gastrointestinal upset, ulcers, and bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Additionally, these medications can cause tachycardia or racing heart rates when mixed with alcohol.
Have the Plan to Get Home
While you’re out and about enjoying the night, ensuring you can get home safely is essential. It is especially true during holiday parties, where drinking and driving are often a concern.
Luckily, there are plenty of options to get home after a drink, from having a friend drive you to use public transportation or an Uber to finding a cab or sober driver to take you home. Having a plan is the most reliable and safest way to get home after a night out.
A designated driver, or DD, is someone who agrees not to drink so that they can help everyone else stay sober and safely get home. It is also a great option if you have a lot of people at your party, as a DD can pick everyone up cheaply. Consider using a ridesharing service to avoid a drunken driving arrest or a fatal car accident. They can be a much more affordable alternative to taxis and usually offer faster, more reliable service. If you cannot use one of these services, walking is another safe way to get home after drinking. Just be aware of the weather, distance, and security, and remember that pedestrian accidents are still common.
Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended
Whether talking, dancing, using the toilet, or making a phone call, always keep your drink in your hand or close by. While this can be tough to do at a club or party, it’s an essential step in the effort to stay safe. It’s also a good idea to bring a trusted friend to watch your drinks so you can enjoy the night without worrying about them. One of the more dangerous things you can do is leave your drink unattended for long periods. It can make you a prime target for someone to slip a drug into it, such as a ketamine cocktail or even a date rape drug, like methadone. Other things to look for are taste tests that tell you whether your drink is spiked. Other signs to watch out for include whether your glass has been moved or the color, smell, or taste has changed. Other things to remember are to not accept a drink from someone you don’t know and to find a designated driver so that you can get home safely.
