Drink aware
Friday 11 December 2009
Tis the season to be merry, but if you’re planning on going out partying during the holidays make sure you look after number one!
The law
The legal age to drink is 18 years old. If you’re over 18 then this means you can walk into any bar, pub or club and order whatever drink you want.
If however, you’re under the legal age then you can’t buy alcoholic drinks in a pub, corner shop, supermarket or any other store. It’s also illegal for someone over 18 to buy alcohol on your behalf.
There’s one exception though. If you’re out having a meal with friends over the age of 18, then they can order you beer, wine or cider. You won’t be able to order any thing for yourself though.
New laws have recently come into effect to tackle underage drinkers. From now on:-
- Police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s.
- Persistant drinkers under the age of 18 can be charged.
- Police can charge people who are caught twice in a three month period selling alcohol to anyone under 18.
Know your limits
If you are old enough to drink and decide to celebrate during these holidays the most important thing is to stay aware and know your limits. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can change the way you normally behave. If you drink too much you might find yourself doing things you normally wouldn’t do.
Alcohol also affects people in different ways. Some people can only drink a little, while others can drink more before they feel any effects. Never feel pressured to drink as much as your mates. When you start feeling the effects you know it's time to stop! .
Try to pace yourself. Spread your drinks out throughout the night and alternate between alcohol and water, juice or soft drinks.
Count your units
Alcohol is measured in units. Some alcoholic drinks have more units than others. You can find out exactly how many units your drink has by reading the label. You could also follow this guide:-
- Three units - one pint of strong lager.
- Two units - one pint of ordinary lager, cider or a glass of wine.
- One and a half units - one alcopop.
- One unit - one measure of wisky, vodka, rum or gin.
Check out this calculator for an accurate measurement.
Watch your drink
Never accept drinks from a stranger or someone you don’t trust.
Always keep an eye on your drink as well. Leaving it unattended could put it at risk of being spiked. Warning signs include feeling faint, sick or confused. You could also feel disorientated and like your about to pass out. If you ever feel out of the ordinary then tell one of your mates or a member of staff immediately.
Stick with your mates
No matter where you decide to go this Christmas or New Year, make sure it’s somewhere safe.
Stick with your mates whilst you’re out. This way you’ll be in safe hands if the booze gets to your head. Keep your phone on you at all times and make sure it’s topped up with credit. If you get separated from your friends then at least you’ll be able to contact them.
Don’t drink and drive
The law states that you can’t have more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood. On average, this basically means that boys shouldn’t consume more than four units of alcohol, and girls shouldn’t have any more than three.
This law isn’t a sure fire way of staying safe though. If you intend to drink then it’s probably best to leave your car at home.
Eat lots, drink plenty
If you drink too much you might end up feeling ill the next day. There are a few things you can do to prevent this however.
Always eat a balanced meal before having a drink. The food in your stomach will slow down the absorption of alcohol and will prevent you from feeling the effects of alcohol too soon.
Try to drink lots of water too. Alcohol is a diuretic which can leave your body dehydrated. This is also a major reason for that horrible morning-after feeling, also known as a hangover.
Drinkaware
Alcohol awareness site Drinkaware is encouraging you to stay safe whilst you’re out and about. Check out some of their tips to help you do just that.
