How not to binge these holidays
The festive season is here and everyone looks forward to having fun. But too much partying can have dire consequences.
Follow these tips (supplied by DrinkIQ – a Brandhouse initiative) on how to drink in moderation and stay safe.
* Plan for everything. You know how you are going to get to the party and you probably know what you are going to wear, but do you know how you are going to get home safely? Always make sure you have cash set aside for your taxi ride home, get a designated driver, book a drive-home service or be the designated driver yourself.
* Eat before you drink. Drinking on an empty stomach can be a recipe for disaster. Food will help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system.
* Pace yourself. Alcohol will dehydrate you, so drink plenty of water or soft drinks beforehand and during the night to make sure you stay refreshed.
* Don’t accept drinks from strangers. Make sure you get your drinks from the barman directly, and make sure you watch the barman open the drink in front of you so you know it hasn’t been spiked.
* Sip your drink. It’s all about quality and not quantity. Your head will feel better in the morning.
* Know your limit. Most people find that no more than a drink an hour will keep them in control of the situation and avoid drunkenness.
* Respect the rights of individuals who do not wish to drink. It is impolite to try to get people to drink when they do not wish to. They may abstain for religious or medical reasons, because they are recovering alcoholics or they may not like the taste and effect it has on them.
* Don’t drink and drive. Whatever you do, ensure that you do not drink and drive.
DrinkIQ suggests that if you track how much alcohol you drink, you are well on your way to making responsible choices about alcohol.
“It is an initiative to try to get people to understand the effect of alcohol on their body, mind and social environment,” says Zanele Njapha, sustainability manager at Brandhouse.
“Make this festive season one to remember and not one to forget.
“It is a resource designated to help South Africans make responsible choices about drinking.
“Drinking responsibly is about enjoyment.
“If misused, alcohol can cause harm to you and others.”
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If you have an alcohol dependence or suspect someone else needs help, you can call Alcoholics Anonymous on the national helpline: 0861 435 722 or visit http://www.aasouthafrica.org.za/Home.aspx
Alternatively, you can call the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) on the toll-free number 086 147 2622 or visit http://sancanational.org
For more information on DrinkIQ and alcohol-related facts, visit http://www.drinkiq.com/en-US/pages/home.aspx
South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) at 033 347 0103 or www.sadd.org.za or Caro Smit, SADD’s director, at 082 821 3673.