Tips for Drinking Responsibly

Be Mindful of Your Holiday Drinking Habits

For many people, the holidays and drinking alcohol go hand-in-hand. While this can make your festivities merry and bright, it also causes a spike in alcohol-related car accidents. This makes it especially important to be mindful of your drinking habits to help protect yourself and the members of your community.

Here’s how.

Know How Much is “One” Drink

When you drink alcohol, it enters the bloodstream as it is absorbed by your gastrointestinal tract. After the alcohol has made it into your blood, the enzymes produced by your liver break it down and eliminate it from your body.

Your body can only metabolize alcohol so quickly, making it important to pay attention to how much alcohol you’re consuming. It’s standard that your liver is able to break down one drink every hour, but the amount of alcohol in “one” drink heavily depends on the type of alcohol being consumed.

The following measurements are considered one alcoholic beverage:

• Liquor & distilled spirits: 1.5 ounces.
• Beer: 12 ounces.
• Wine: 5 ounces.

Avoid Buzzed Driving

While many people can agree that drunk driving is dangerous, there seems to be a grey area when it comes to “buzzed” driving. The truth is, buzzed driving is still drunk driving and can result in serious car accidents and even fatalities.

If you have been drinking and you feel even slightly inebriated, don’t get behind the wheel.

Always Have a Designated Driver

When going to a party, dinner, or social gathering and you know that you’ll be drinking, it is important to have a plan for how you’re going to get home afterward. If you’re going out with a group of loved ones, make sure at least one person won’t be drinking to make sure your travels are safe.

Opt for Mocktails Instead

Mix up your seasonal alcoholic drink for a fun holiday mocktail. Mocktails, or non-alcoholic cocktails, are healthier without the alcohol, they can help with socializing, they are safe for the whole family, and you can enjoy without getting intoxicated so no need for a designated driver.

Moscow Mule Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 Lime quartered
• 6-8 Mint leaves
• 1 cup ginger beer
• 1/4 cup Soda water
• Sweetener of choice to taste

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