Drinking Safety

While we all know the big picture issues with drinking too much; increased risk of cancer, having no money, domestic disquiet, liver disease, brain damage and the negative influences on mental wellbeing. We often overlook the immediate problems drinking too much can promote; embarrassment, injury to self and others, car accidents, drink driving and the sore head the following day. While I appreciate most of us like a drink know and then, here are seven steps towards a safer relationship with alcohol.

1. Know how much you are drinking. Be aware of recommended safe alcohol intake and see how you fare up. More than 10 standard drinks a week, or four in one day is considered risky.
2. Eat before you drink. How quickly the bubbles start going to your head depends very much on the contents of your stomach. Having some food in your belly will slow the uptake of alcohol into your bloodstream. Energy drinks should be avoided, as these will increase the rate of alcohol absorption. Sometimes we forget to hit our ‘stop’ buttons when we’ve had too much to drink, too quickly.
3. Count your drinks. Set yourself a limit and stick to it. Avoid joining rounds with people who you know you can’t keep up with. Finish one drink before starting another.
4. Slow down. Make every second or third drink non-alcoholic. We are more likely to do something we later regret when we’ve had too much to drink, too quickly.
5. Avoid shots. Just don’t do shots, apart from the limited street cred you may think you are getting doing shots, they serve no purpose whatsoever. Just don’t do shots.
6. If you are planning to drink, plan not to drive. Have a plan B, work something out, if you plan to have one or two too many, leave the car behind (take your keys though, there are a couple of rascals out there at present).
7. It is OK to say NO. Societies are maturing and not having a drink is not as much of a voodoo at it used to be. If you’ve had a bad day, or are in a crap mood, skip the drinks. Alcohol is a depressant, it may make you feel better at the time, but it is a fleeting companion.

I have had my own issues with alcohol in the past, and I’m in no way telling people having a drink after work is a bad thing. Think before you drink, be safe, look after the people around you and have a good time, we are only here once.

For more information, look here.

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/top-7-tips-for-safe-drinking

Our next skill drill will be 25 June, in the shed on Grassy Road, 18:00 to 19:30. If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolk.island@stohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au