Christmas and New Year is a time when it is very easy to overindulge, so the Public Health Liverpool have put together some top tips to help prevent a hangover from alcohol this year.
Alcohol guidelines recommend that both men and women drink no more than 14 units a week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level. This means drinking no more than approximately 6/7 pints of beer, 1.5 bottles of wine a week.
If you do drink as much as 14 units a week, it’s best to spread this evenly over three days or more – don’t ‘save up’ your units for a particular day or a party.
Binge drinking is associated with particular risks to health, including damage to the liver, heart, brain and stomach. If you’re pregnant, or are trying for a baby, as a precaution you should not drink any alcohol at all.
Christmas is a time when we often start drinking earlier in the day, which is a sure recipe for drinking more, so it may be wise to lay off the booze until later in the day.
Think about how you’re feeling and whether you want a pause, and don’t let people top you up just because they’re drinking.
It’s not always easy to know how much you’re going to drink at a Christmas party, but you probably know what feels like enough for you and what feels like too much.
If you think you’ve reached your limit, don’t let anyone else cajole you into drinking more.
Some people find it helpful to take their own alcohol to parties. Sticking with the booze you have brought is a way of avoiding drinking too much and sticking to how much you intend to drink.
You can pace your drinking by adding a mixer, or having a glass of water or a non-alcoholic drink in between.
Other tips that you may find useful include:
• Eat before or while drinking and avoid salty snacks, which make you thirsty
• Remember home measures will be bigger than those served in a bar, pub or restaurant.
• Don’t mix alcohol with any other drugs, including prescription medication
Where to go for more support
• drinklessfeelgood.com is a local website that features a tool called “My Drinks Check” which can be used to help you find out more about your drinking habits. You’ll be given personalised tips for drinking less.
• Liverpool Community Alcohol Service offers free, confidential support, treatment and advice for people living with alcohol dependency. If you are worried about a relative or friend who you suspect has a problem with alcohol, you can also contact the service for free advice. Call: 0151 471 7784 or visit merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/liverpool/drug-and-alcohol-services
• If alcohol is affecting your mental health, kindtoyourmindliverpool.co.uk/ offers support based on how you are feeling to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Remember that you are not alone.
