Safe Drinking

Although it gives you an initial lift, alcohol is a depressant drug.  Responses are slowed, affecting coordination, and the way the brain works, affecting judgment, so you become clumsy and dopey.  It’s one of the most widely used drugs, above and below the legal age limit and in large quantities over a short time, alcohol is a poison and will kill.

• Drinking too much can make you aggressive and violent.  You’re more likely to start arguments and pick fights.
• Alcohol is loaded with calories.  It can make you fat, and is bad for your skin.
• Know your limit. These are no more than 3-4 units a day for men and 2-3 for women.  One unit = half a pint of beer, medium glass of wine or one measure of spirits.
• Eat food while you drink. It is particularly good to eat high protein foods such as cheese and peanuts, which help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system.
  Sip your drink. If you gulp a drink for the effect, you are wasting the pleasure that can be attained by tasting it properly.
• Accept a drink only when you really want one. There is no need to drink just because everyone else is.  Respect the rights of individuals who do not wish to drink. It is considered impolite to attempt to get people to drink who do not wish to. They may abstain for religious or medical reasons, because they are recovering alcoholics, or they just may not like the taste and effect it has on them.
• Skip a drink now and then. When at a party, have twice as much still water as alcohol, and a big glass of water before bed to avoid dehydration.
• If you drive after you’ve only had one drink, you’re still five times more likely to have a car accident than a non-drinker.  Appoint a designated driver. Have someone available who will not be drinking and will drive all drinkers home. This is critical if the person has consumed more than one drink per hour.
• Use alcohol carefully in connection with other drugs.This includes over-the-counter drugs such as sleeping pills and cold or cough medicines. Alcohol should be avoided while taking certain antibiotics, arthritic, anti-depressant, and many other prescription medications. Check with your physician or pharmacy before you drink while on any prescription drug.
• Avoid drinking mixed drinks on an empty stomach on a hot day. This might produce hypoglycemia, which can cause dizziness, weakness, and mood change.
• No one should drink every day.  Have some alcohol-free days every week.