As we approach the Easter holidays and a time of joyful celebration with family and friends, here is a sobering thought; one out of every seven drivers on the road is drunk and this is especially true at night.
Alcohol impairs not just your ability to drive, but can ruin your reputation amongst colleagues and friends or worse still, cause you to become an appalling role-model for your children – ‘do as I say, not as I do’ doesn’t work.
Many South Africans are part of a culture in which drinking alcohol is an accepted pastime and a party or sporting event can often seem incomplete without a drink. Unfortunately sometimes we stick our heads in the sand and pretend that ‘just one more’ won’t hurt.
The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) is a non-profit organisation that seeks to prevent the harm that often results from foolish drinking habits. Don’t miss out on the fun this holiday season; you can definitely enjoy a few drinks with mates during your downtime! Keep these tips in mind as you do, and the fun will be all the more meaningful:
Know your personal limit. Be aware of when enough alcohol is enough and switch to soft drinks or water when you start to feel even the slightest bit off-kilter.
Eat food while you drink. High protein foods such as cheese and peanuts will help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system. Try and eat a meal before you start drinking.
Skip a drink now and then. When at a party, have a non-alcoholic drink between the alcoholic one to keep your blood alcohol concentration down. Try and only consume one drink within the period of an hour.
Sip your alcohol drink. If you gulp a drink, you are losing the pleasure of drinking it. Don’t rise to the challenge of a ‘down-down’ just to look good.
Be a Mate. Look out for your friends’ safety by gently letting them know that they’re over the limit. Call them a cab or give them a place to crash, you’ll all feel better knowing everyone is safe.
Foundation for Alcohol Related Research