Seasonal parties are often an excuse for a tipple (or two). However, alcohol can pile on the pounds and leave you feeling far from merry.
Follow our simple tips for drinking sensibly, so that you can get merry with a sherry this Christmas, without any nasty consequences.
Sensible sipping
If you’re going out drinking, make sure you eat a meal beforehand. Try to have something filling and carbohydrate-based, such as pasta or a jacket potato to line your stomach and prevent a killer hangover. Start off the night with a soft drink to quench your thirst and remember to alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks throughout the evening.
Only drink one drink at a time rather than allowing your glass to be topped up before you’ve finished. This helps you to keep track of how much you’ve had, so you know when to stop. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know, and don’t leave your drink unattended even for a few minutes.
When you get home, instead of fast food, eat some toast, which will help settle your stomach. Then, drink a couple of glasses of water, followed by some orange juice as vitamin C helps your liver deal with the alcohol.
Avoid caffeine drinks the next morning, as they only provide a brief respite and will dehydrate you, slowing-up your recovery. Take some antacid or anti-sickness tablets if you feel sick. Over-the-counter paracetamol will help your headache but avoid aspirin, which can irritate your stomach further.
Instead of a fry up, have unsweetened cereal, toast with marmalade or jam and more fruit juice. Avoid any food with high sugar content, as sugar levels needs to be built up slowly, so save the chocolate until later.
Want to read more about hangovers?
Safety essentials
Make sure you know how you’re getting home before you start drinking. Never walk home by yourself, and if possible, share a taxi or catch a night bus with friends. Remember to look out for others in your group and don’t leave people to get home alone if it’s not safe. A few drinks lower your inhibitions and make you less aware of your personal safety.
Never put others in danger by drink driving – it’s never worth taking the risk. You could cause a serious accident leading to death or injury, and/or be prosecuted which could lead to you losing your license, getting a hefty fine, having to pay sky-high insurance and even imprisonment.
Plus there are plenty of alternatives – you and your friends or family could take turns at being Des for the night – the designated driver! Otherwise, take a taxi or arrange to stay with a friend for the evening.
It’s best to avoid having a drink at all if you’re planning to be driving, and remember you can still be over the limit the next day if you’ve drunk a lot.
How much alcohol is it safe to drink before driving?
Check out the THINK! Road safety website
Drinking to excess
Government reports suggest that around one in 3 men and one in 5 women drink too much. Britain’s love of booze costs the country about £20 billion a year and excessive drinking is responsible for 22,000 early deaths a year. The weekly alcohol allowance for men is 21 units and 14 for women. Binge drinking is defined as consuming at least 8 units of alcohol in one session, or 6 for women. 8 units is about 4 pints of normal strength beer, or 8 small glasses of wine.
Are you drinking safely? Try our interactive tool.
Binge drinking puts a lot of strain on your liver and can lead to long-term health problems. It’s important to pace yourself and don’t drink your weekly allowance of alcohol in one night!
If you’re worried about how much you or someone you know is drinking, you can phone Drinkline, a free and confidential telephone helpline, for advice and support. The number is 0800 917 8282 and lines are open between 9am and 11pm on Monday to Friday.
Read more about alcohol misuse and how to get help
You could also see your GP, or speak to a friend or family member you trust. You can get details from your GP or from the How’s your drink website.
