The Drinkaware Trust (Drinkaware), a UK charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm, has compiled some top tips for partygoers to help them have a merry – and memorable – Christmas.
Alcohol consumption in Britain increases by 40% in December*, more than any other country in the world. Most of us have probably experienced some of the short-term effects of ‘over-doing it’ at this time of year, including nausea, dehydration and temporary memory loss.
To make this Christmas one to remember, Drinkaware’s suggests the following tips:
* Avoid drinking on an empty stomach – food slows down the absorption of alcohol
* Pace yourself, there’s no rush – drink slowly
* Include soft drinks in your celebration
* Don’t leave yourself vulnerable – plan your journey home
The morning after:
* Drink plenty of water to rehydrate
* Avoid ‘hair of the dog’ – it doesn’t work!
* Over-done it? Have two alcohol-free days
Up to a million business-card size Christmas ‘tip cards’ have been distributed to over 2000 pubs across the UK, containing tips, unit guidelines, and links to a 24 hour helpline and drinkaware.co.uk. A further 10,000 tip cards will be given to taxi passengers in London, with 300 black cabs’ supersides and tip seats displaying advice to partygoers.
Drinkaware’s new CEO, Chris Sorek, said: “It’s all too easy to drink too much during the festive season. By distributing tip cards in pubs and licensed taxis, we hope to offer practical guidance to consumers who want to enjoy Christmas without experiencing the negative effects of over-doing it.”
To find out more about how to survive the Christmas party season, visit drinkaware.co.uk, which includes a unit calculator, drinks diary, health fact sheets, lifestyle features, short films and more.
Drinkaware