Top 7 tips for safe drinking

 Excessive alcohol consumption can result in:

• embarrassment

• injury

• accidents

• health issues

Your chance of developing cancer is increased by even occasional alcohol use.

Alcohol in any quantity is never safe. However, you can lessen your chance of injury by engaging in "safe drinking." To drink safely, heed the following guidelines.

1. Recognize how much alcohol you are now consuming and how much you should.

If you become as knowledgeable about how alcohol affects the body as you can, drinking can be a part of a healthy lifestyle. You should adhere to The Australian Guidelines to lower your lifetime risk of suffering an alcohol-related illness or injury.

According to the Australian Guidelines, healthy adults should limit their alcohol consumption to no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 standard drinks per day.

The amount of ethanol (alcohol) in a typical drink is roughly 10 grams, which is the maximum amount your body can metabolize in an hour. The amount of alcohol you can consume depends on your age, weight, sex, and current mood.

Your risk of accidents, injuries, and hangovers can rise if you consume more alcohol than is advised. Regularly consuming too much alcohol raises your chance of long-term health issues. These may consist of:

• heart condition

• cancer

• liver illness

• mental disorder

• brain injury

2. Consume food before (and during) drinking.

Your small intestine and stomach are the entry points for alcohol into your circulation. When you first start drinking, if your stomach is empty, the alcohol will reach your bloodstream more quickly. It could be difficult to control your drinking because you might experience the effects of your drinks immediately.

It's a good idea to eat both before and after your first drink. Try this advice as well.

Take in a lot of water.

Avoid combining alcohol with sweet or energy beverages.

Eat nothing salty while drinking. You may get more likely to drink more as a result of them.

3. Count your beverages.

Drinking more than you realize is simple to do. Mid-strength beer in a can or bottle, 100ml of wine, or a 30ml shot of liquor constitute normal drinks. Drinks at pubs and restaurants frequently have multiple regular drinks in them.

Decide how many drinks you'll have, and stick to it. Do not drink in groups (especially with friends who drink too much). Instead of topping off your glass, try to finish your first beverage before starting a new one.

4. Limit your consumption with alcohol-free beverages.

Your reaction to alcohol depends on the amount of alcohol in your blood (also known as your BAC). Your risk of injury or overdose increases with your blood alcohol content (BAC).

Your BAC will increase if you drink more quickly since your body can only process one standard drink per hour.

Reduce your consumption to one drink each hour for safety. This is possible by:

• drinking both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• consuming water to slake your thirst before beginning to consume alcohol

• choosing non-alcoholic beverages

• sipping as opposed to guzzling your beverage

• when not drinking, setting your glass down

5. Avoid drinking contests and shots.

When you binge drink (have four or more drinks in one sitting) and become intoxicated, you face the risk of:

• the hurt

• put yourself in a risky circumstance

• disgrace yourself and become drunk-poisoned

Avoid drinking contests, shots, sculling competitions, and other activities designed to make you drunk quickly. Try not to follow your buddies' lead. Play some pool, dance, or just hang out.

Never combine alcohol and energy drinks as this may cause you to consume more alcohol. Additionally, it may lead to a rise in risk-taking behavior and injury risks.

6. Don't drive after drinking

When driving, there is no such thing as a safe amount of alcohol. You are more likely to be in a car accident the more alcohol you consume. Not just you can be involved in a car accident.

Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeding 0.05 is prohibited in Australia. BAC requirements for probationary (P) and learner (L) drivers are 0.00. (zero).

Before you leave the house, make a plan for how you'll get home. This might comprise:

• deciding who will be the "designated driver" with your friends.

• ensuring you have enough cash for an Uber or taxi ride home.

• taking public transportation.

7. "Just say no" if you're... 

very young (under 18 years old), pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, breastfeeding, feeling depressed or nervous, or you don't want to drink.

taking additional medications that could affect alcohol interaction (speak to your doctor about this)

For other people, drinking alcohol can be more damaging. The best course of action for kids and teenagers under 18 is to abstain from all alcohol consumption.

No amount of drinking is thought to be safe for the baby while the mother is pregnant or nursing.

Additionally, it's advised to abstain from drinking if you're using any prescription or illicit substances. These can have an unpleasant effect and raise the risk of health problems when combined with alcohol. If alcohol is okay to consume while taking your medications, ask your doctor.

When you're depressed, it's not a smart idea to drink because the alcohol may make you feel even worse.