Drinking responsibly... make your next celebration a safer and healthier one

Plan ahead, know what you’re drinking, and sip on lots of water. If you do make alcohol a part of your celebrations, drinking responsibly will help you feel a whole lot better the next morning.

Plan ahead

• Always designate a driver before you leave the house if you’re going to drink. Encourage your friends to do the same. Don’t drink and drive.
• Eat before you have alcohol. Food slows down alcohol absorption.
• If you’re hosting a party, offer alcohol-free options such as a carbonated fruit punch. Make sure your guests have a safe way to get home if they’ve been drinking.

Know what you’re drinking

• Drink in moderation. Remember, one serving of alcohol is equal to 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or a shot of liquor (1.5 ounces).
• Space your drinks out during the evening instead of drinking lots all at once.
• Avoid drinks where you’re not sure of the exact alcohol content.
• Try drinking wine spritzers that include tonic or soda water. Or order your drink over ice, rather than doing shots. 
• Be aware of possibly still being over the legal limit the next morning. If you didn’t stop drinking until 4am, you could well be too intoxicated to drive home by 6 or 7am, or later.

Drink lots of water

• Drink water before you start drinking, as well as between alcohol drinks.
• If you’re suffering from a hangover, there are no magical cures. The sure thing is lots of fluids/water and time. That pounding headache is all about dehydration from alcohol.