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Drink Responsibly This Holiday Season
By: Mary Kelly, MS, RD, CD, CDE
December 20, 2016
T
he holidays are a time to celebrate with friends and
family. Unfortunately, some holiday parties can turn
tragic when people choose to drink and drive or ride
with someone who’s been drinking. According to the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), two to
three times more people die in alcohol-related car accidents
during the holidays. Excess alcohol intake can also lead to
violent behavior, unprotected sex or sexual assault, alcohol
poisoning, cell damage, or addiction.
designated driver choice is the person who has not consumed
any amount of alcohol.
• Pace and space. Limit consumption to one standard
drink or less per hour. A standard drink is considered a 12 oz.
regular beer or wine cooler; 1 ½ oz. 80-proof distilled liquor;
or 5 oz. wine. Alternate every other drink with a nonalcoholic
beverage like water, soda or fruit juice.
• Track of how much you drink. Aim for responsible
limits of 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for
men on no more than 4 days per week.
• Eat something before you drink. Eating a big meal before
you drink won’t keep you sober, but it will slow down the
absorption of alcohol.
Zero alcohol intake is the best choice if you are:
1) on medications or have a chronic illness;
2) stressed or fatigued; a family member of an alcoholic;
3) a recovering alcoholic or drug addict;
4) pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive;
5) or have a previous criminal background.
Many holiday party-goers do not realize how quickly
alcohol consumption can impair judgment, inhibition or
critical driving-related skills, long before actual signs of
intoxication like slurred speech or loss of balance may occur.
Alcohol also has a sedative effect which may cause a driver to
nod off behind the wheel. Many people believe that drinking
coffee at the end of the night will sober a person up. Caffeine
may help combat drowsiness, but it will not improve
coordination or decision-making skills.
Drinking alcohol more than 4 days a week; inability to limit
intake to moderate amounts; denying or hiding alcohol; posing
a safety threat to oneself or those around them; and not
remembering what was said or done after a night of drinking
are all signs of people at risk for alcohol problems. Talk to
your doctor, employee assistance program or call
(301)443-3860 for counseling and treatment options.
Here are some tips to help you drink responsibly and enjoy a
safe holiday season:
Health coaching is just one of the many offerings in a
Sensia Wellness program. For more information about
our wellness programs, contact Ashley Johnson at:
(414) 988-7208 or ajohnson@sensiawellness.com.
• Plan ahead for a designated driver. This should not be the person who has drunk the least. Even two drinks may
put a lower weight female over the legal driving limit. The best
Source: www.RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
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