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Responsible Drinking

Responsible Drinking

Responsible drinking means more than just limiting yourself to a certain number of drinks. It also means not getting drunk and not letting alcohol control your life or your relationships.

If you drink alcohol, health care providers advise limiting how much you drink. This is called drinking in moderation, or responsible drinking.

Can Responsible Drinking Improve Your Health?

Many people drink now and then. You may have heard about some health benefits from moderate drinking. Some of these benefits have been proven more than others. But none of them should be used as a reason for drinking.

Tips of Drinking Responsibly

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/top-7-tips-for-safe-drinking

Drinking can be fun, let’s be honest. But too much alcohol can lead to injury, accidents, serious embarrassment and long-term health problems. 

Health direct website advised to follow the following tips for healthy drinking;

 Understand both how much alcohol you are having and how much you should have

Drinking can be part of a healthy lifestyle as long as you learn as much as you can about the effects of alcohol on the body. How much alcohol you can handle depends on your age, weight, gender and how you feel at the time.

Eat before (and during) drinking sessions

Alcohol enters your bloodstream through your stomach and small intestine. If your stomach’s empty when you start drinking, the alcohol will enter your bloodstream more quickly.

So it’s a good idea to eat before you down your first drink, and while you are drinking. To get the best out of mixing food and alcohol:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Don’t mix alcohol with sugary or energy drinks.
  • Avoid salty snacks – they will make you thirsty and likely to drink more.

Count your drinks

It’s easy to drink more than you realize. A standard drink is a can or bottle of mid-strength beer, 100ml of wine or a 30ml shot of spirits. Drinks served in bars or restaurants often contain more than 1 standard drink.

Set yourself a drinks limit and stick to it. Avoid drinking in rounds (especially with friends who drink too much). Try to finish your drink before you start another, rather than topping up your glass.

Slow your intake with alcohol-free drinks

The amount of alcohol in your blood (blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) influences how alcohol affects you. The higher your BAC, the more at risk you are of injury or overdose.

Your body can only process 1 standard drink per hour. The faster you drink, the higher your BAC.

To keep safe, slow down your drinking to 1 drink per hour. You can do this by:

  • drinking non-alcoholic drinks as well as alcoholic drinks
  • drinking water to quench your thirst before you start drinking alcohol
  • opting for low-alcohol drinks
  • sipping rather than gulping

Skip the drinking games and shots

When you binge drink (drink more than 4 drinks in 1 session) and get drunk, you’re more likely to get hurt, put yourself in a dangerous situation, embarrass yourself, or even suffer alcohol poisoning.

Try to avoid drinking games, shots, skolling races or anything that aims to get you intoxicated fast.

Don’t mix alcohol with energy drinks, as this can make you drink more. Be careful about how much you drink if you’ve taken any other drugs or medicines.

 Don’t drink and drive

There is no safe level of alcohol if you are driving. The more drinks you put away, the more likely you are to have a road accident – and that accident could involve another person, not just you.

Instead of drinking and driving:

  • Plan how you’re going to get home before you go out.
  • Decide with your friends who will be the ‘designated driver’.
  • Make sure you reserve enough money for a taxi home.
  • Use public transport.

 ‘Just say no’ if you’re…

Very young, pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, on meds or feeling depressed.

Drinking alcohol can be more harmful for some people. The safest option for children and young people under 18 is not to drink any alcohol at all.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding,  it’s safest for your baby if you don’t drink.

  • It’s also best to avoid alcohol if you’re taking any medicines or recreational drugs since when mixed with alcohol, they can have an unpleasant effect. Likewise, it’s not a good idea to drink when you’re feeling depressed because alcohol can make you feel worse. Never drinking alcohol and driving.
  • Having a designated driver if you are going to drink. This means riding with someone in your group who has not been drinking, or taking a taxi or bus.
  • Not drinking on an empty stomach. Have a snack or meal before you drink and while you are drinking.
  • If you take any medicines, including ones you bought without a prescription, check with your doctor before you drink. Alcohol can affect the way your body uses some drugs. A drug may not work correctly, or it could be dangerous or make you sick if combined with alcohol.

If alcohol use runs in your family, you may be at a higher risk of having an alcohol problem yourself. Not drinking at all might be best for you.

Source: Med line website