How to Enjoy Alcohol Responsibly
Alcohol is an integral part of the social world of most adults. Whether with friends, family, coworkers, or dates, it’s important to know how to enjoy alcohol responsibly. Unfortunately, really terrible things can happen quickly if you’re not diligent about following some basic guidelines.
Arrange Transportation When Drinking Out
This should be your first and foremost concern. Every year, there are thousands of people that die from accidents involving drunk driving. It’s important that you work to avoid that possibility at all costs. Luckily, it’s not too complicated.
A lot of people bring along a specific non-drinking friend as the designated driver of the group. Others simply take public transportation, if it’s available. At the very least, you can always call yourself a taxi, Lyft, or Uber. It might cost a little extra but it’s well worth the cost to keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe.
Know Your Limits
Alcohol is, after all, a drug. Everyone is going to react to it differently. Different factors like genetics, lifestyle, physical health, and mental health all should change how an individual approaches their recreational alcohol consumption. Know yourself and where your limits are. Know at what point you become tipsy and drunk.
Know at what point you will black out–and try to avoid that possibility for your own safety. Make sure to keep from regularly getting drunk. Alcohol addiction can cost you your family and freedom if you don’t seek treatment. If you’re not careful, developing a dependence on alcohol could end with truly disastrous results. If you think you might be inching towards developing that problem, you should seek professional help.
The Buddy System
Not only is it more fun to drink with trusted friends, but it is also important for your safety. Having a friend means having someone to make sure you don’t get so drunk you do something stupid or disastrous. It also means having someone who can make sure you don’t get preyed upon. It is all too common for people to roofie other people’s drinks with the intention to assault them. Groups of people who are walking the streets at night are less likely to be attacked or assaulted than people who are alone.
Everyone is different. For some people, it might be a good idea to avoid alcohol entirely. Make sure to know your limits and approach recreational drinking responsibly. If you plan ahead, should have nothing to worry about.
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