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What are your best tips for safe drinking?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
in Drink & Drugs
Of course, it is important to understand the potential risks and indicators of drinking too much alcohol. However, many people enjoy having a few drinks with their friends, for celebrations, or many other reasons - and that's okay! Understanding how to keep yourself safe and others around you safe while drinking is the key :heart:

So I'm wondering - what are your best tips for safe drinking?
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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    edited October 2021
    A couple from me to start it off:
    • Know your limits. Each individual can tolerate different amounts & types of alcohol in different ways. So pay attention to how it feels for you, not the people around you. Be prepared to say no to any more drinks if you know you have reached your limit (great thread here about peer pressure to help with this!)
    • Stay hydrated! Make sure to eat and drink water before drinking. Some people like to drink glasses of water in-between alcoholic drinks too :blush:
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,016 Supreme Poster
    Most importantly, don't drink for the wrong reasons. Drinking might initially make you feel better but long term it could become a dependency and just make you feel worse. If you fancy a drink on a rainy Tuesday evening then sure, go ahead - but if you're doing it because you're sad or really stressed this is worth keeping in mind.

    Also, I've found that certain types of alcohol are worse than others for getting you too drunk too fast. So if you're trying something new then drink it more slowly.

    Don't leave your drink unattended ever when you're out, someone could put something in it and spike you. You could ask a friend to watch it for you.

    Always eat something first. Anything is better than nothing.
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • AislingDMAislingDM Moderator Posts: 1,666 Extreme Poster
    Completely agree with what has already been said! Especially the point about 'knowing your limits', everyone's body is different and even on a given day, your 'tolerance' could be lower or a certain drink could impact your body differently that day! Plus, I think trying to drink with people you feel safe/comfy around is always important. In many situations this won't be possible (e.g., going to uni for the first time and making new friends, technically you don't 'know who is trustworthy yet'), but as long as you know one person there would look out for you, and vice versa then hopefully things will be okay, even if you get sick or something <3
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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    edited October 2021
    Yes yes yes! Fab tips everyone :heart:
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,287 Skive's The Limit
    Don't drink wine unless it's with a meal.

    Wine tends to hit that sweet spot of something being incredibly easy to drink, while still containing a large percentage of alcohol.
    Weekender Offender 
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    That's a great tip @Skive!
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,016 Supreme Poster
    Skive wrote: »
    Don't drink wine unless it's with a meal.

    Wine tends to hit that sweet spot of something being incredibly easy to drink, while still containing a large percentage of alcohol.

    As a wine drinker, this is very true. If you're not having a meal, sip the wine slowly chugging it is a 100% route to a hangover
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • AzzimanAzziman Moderator, Community Champion Posts: 2,065 Boards Champion
    Completely agree with all the points made above. Be sensible, know your limits, and be confident in saying when enough is enough :)
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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    More fab tips, loving these!
  • AislingDMAislingDM Moderator Posts: 1,666 Extreme Poster
    SO true guys !! I also think it's useful to find a drink that works for you. Often there can be pressure to focus on getting one type of drink because everyone else is, or because that's the 'vibe' of the night (e.g., it's a wine night so you aren't 'meant' to drink cocktails, or everyone is buying beer because you're doing a pub crawl and this is cheaper rounds-wise). It truly is okay to know what works for you and to stick to that, preferably by letting friends know which drinks you don't love. For example, at my uni, cider was a big thing, and people used to go to this pub to try to drink 11 half pints before 11pm and I hated cider so I just partook in a different way with a drink that worked for me, I found a way to adapt the game to still make it 'fun'.
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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 75 Budding Regular
    Something that took me a while to learn when starting drinking is waiting. I would have many drinks in quick succession thinking that I was not that drunk and then later in the night it would all catch up with me, and I would get very drunk. Now I space out my drinks so that I don't get hit by them all at once. I think its good to understand how long it takes for alcohol to enter your system, as this can help with pacing yourself. Its different for everyone !
  • independent_independent_ Community Champion Posts: 9,016 Supreme Poster
    Also … I just realised this hasn’t been mentioned. Try not to mix tooooo many types of drinks at once. Your body gets confused and it can make you drunk much quicker. And if you’re already drunk switching drinks could just tip you over the edge (i know it does with me). If I want to switch drinks, I wait a while to see how drunk I feel and I don’t do it more than once or twice in one night. I know people who have a different type of drink every time they order and they always end up worse off.
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    edited October 2021
    All such good tips!! You're so right @independent_ with the mixing, such a good one to mention. Thank you for sharing! :heart:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 12 Settling in
    I think its important to set up your room or where you're going to sleep when you come back from drinking (if possible) if you've had a night out or gone to someone else's. Setting up a glass of water and maybe some make up wipes by your bed isn't to keep you safe but it allows you to take care of yourself and look out for things drunk you might not think about whilst hydrating is always important before, during and after drinking.
    Also try not to take anything containing paracetamol before drinking alcohol as it weakens the level of resistance you have to either substance and can leave you vulnerable to the negative effects that can be seen from consuming a dangerous amount on either alcohol or paracetamol.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 30 Boards Initiate
    • Don't mix liquors! It can make your hangover or that sick feeling so much worse. So if you've been drinking pornstar martini's all night and need a switch, go for something vodka based.
    • I agree with know you're limit and stay hydrated. If I'm feeling extra poorly the next day, I'll have my water with some hydration salts.
    • Sleep on your side when you're drunk and/or feeling a little sick.
    • If you're a lightweight, pace yourself. You might get drunk quicker than someone who isn't so you can take your time. Also this means you can spend less on drinks to get drunk ;)
  • Laura_tigger82Laura_tigger82 Moderator Posts: 5,303 Part of The Furniture
    Hi @coc0mac

    Thanks for initiating such a great thread. I think you will be suprised by just how many people you will reach with your thread. Everyone has shared such great tips too! Thanks to all of you :)
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  • AislingDMAislingDM Moderator Posts: 1,666 Extreme Poster
    I know this one isn't always possible and certainly isn't possible for everyone, but if you are feeling sick it's always best to try to stay awake for at least a little while in the hopes that the nausea will subside. Another option is to wake someone else up who you live with, of course they might be annoyed at you disturbing their slumber, but it's certainly better than being sick alone when you're super drunk and not even able to keep your head up. And in worst case scenarios when there is no one to turn to, as has already been said, please sleep on your side!!! <3
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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 6 Confirmed not a robot
    I make sure I don't drink alone because then I know I will get into a habit of it and it may get really bad
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,054 Wise Owl
    These tips are all just wonderful!! You're all stars, super helpful for everyone to read :star:
  • Laura_tigger82Laura_tigger82 Moderator Posts: 5,303 Part of The Furniture
    Really glad to hear you found the tips wonderful @coc0mac. I hope our other wonderful community members also find the tips helpful. As always, if anyone has any questions, please ask away :)
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