10 Tips For Responsible Drinking
A social life is part of our lives. We go out with friends and have a have few drinks now and again but if done wrong drinking could have negative effects not only on your health but it could cause other problems for you such as landing you on the wrong side of the law and put the lives other people in danger. This is why drinking is meant for adults because it is expected of them to do it in a responsible manner. The list below gives you 10 tips on how to drink responsibly.
1. Keep an eye on what you’re drinking
It very easy to get carried away when drinking alcoholic drinks if you are unaware of your intake. This is why is very important to keep track of how many drinks you’ve had and what exactly it is that you are drinking. Always keep your beverage close to you so that you can see that it has not been spiked. Counting the drinks you’ve had will stop you from drinking too much. A person who takes alcohol should know how many drinks re too many. Keep them at a minimum and when you feel like you’re too happy and your head feels lighter than usual, take a break or stop altogether for the night.
2. Don’t drink and drive
It is against the law to drink and drive. Though many have done it, it is not all who get away with it. The fact that you haven’t been caught yet doesn’t make you superior to the law. If you are going to be drinking at an event or even at home, make sure that you don’t have more than the legal amount as this could affect your judgement on the road and cause you to become a hazard. Rather take a cab home or let a friend who was not drinking drive.
3. Wait till you’re 18
No person under the age of 18 should be taking any alcoholic drinks. This is a law of South Africa. Drinking is meant for adults and as long as you are under the age of 18 you are still considered a minor and therefore are not allowed to drink any alcoholic drinks. This because an adult would have the correct judgement and be responsible enough to know how to drink responsibly.
4. Choose not to drink alcohol
You don’t have to drink every time you go out. Once in a while choose soft drinks. The experience of a social gathering does not have to be accompanied by alcohol. You can still have as much fun without drinking. If you need to drink to have a good time, then you are probably in the wrong company.
5. Eat before drinking
Drinking on an empty stomach will make you get drunk faster than you would have on a full stomach. Have a meal before you drink or have a meal while you drink. No one likes to baby sit the drunk person, more over a drunk adult. It’s not a good look for any one and you just might ruin your chances of being invited out again because you can’t handle your alcohol.
6. Pace your drinking
If you are going to be at a gathering for a long period of time, it’s smart to pace yourself because you don’t want to be tipsy within the first hour of arriving. Keep the amounts of drinks you have an hour apart and drink slowly. The faster you finish your drink means you will be headed for the next one.
7. Set a personal limit of how many drinks you will consume
The capacity of drinks a person can take differs with each person. If you know you’re light headed and get tipsy fast, set a limit for yourself. The next step would then be to be loyal to yourself and stick to it. Don’t go over your limits.
8. Choose a drink containing a lower alcohol concentration
Alcoholic drinks vary in alcoholic quantities. Choose a drink with low alcohol concentration so that you are under control. If you are going to drink spirits such as whisky and brandy, limit it to one class and alternate it with a soft drink. Ciders have less alcoholic concentration so you can get away with having more than two. But also limit yourself as it is just as easy to get carried away.
9. Avoid drinking games
The easiest way to get floored with alcohol is taking part in drinking games. Yes its fun but it could send you off to bed earlier than you had intended. Drinking games are not for the faint hearted. If you will be playing a drinking game make sure it’s done at a place where you won’t have to drive home afterwards so that the moment you tap out you can have a glass of water and go to sleep.
10. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic beverages
Alcohol dehydrates the body; this is what causes most people to have hang-over the following day. Try to have a glass of water in between drinks so that you don’t get dehydrated. This will also help you stay sober while at it. Hydration will also help your skin not to break out the following day as it will retain it moisture.
