Tips for safer drinking

There are steps you can take to help you enjoy a social drink and prevent the 'morning after the night before' feeling and avoid some of the personal risks and longer lasting health problems that can occur through over indulgence.

• Eat before or with alcohol as eating slows down the rate we consume alcohol and the rate of alcohol absorption.
• Understand what a unit is and how many units you are drinking.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with alcohol-free, de-alcoholised, or non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you can, avoid caffeinated mixer drinks. Caffeine can speed up the effects of alcohol.
• Avoid people topping up your drinks and don't leave your drink unattended.
• If you're at home, remember measures are often larger when pouring your own drinks. Using an optics measure for spirits may help you keep track of how many units you are consuming. Bottles and cans should indicate the unit value of the contents.
• Buy in alcohol-free, de-alcoholised and non-alcoholic drinks as an alternative, especially for when you're likely to be thirsty such as during hot weather or taking on DIY tasks.
• If you're going out, plan how to get home while you're sober.
• Choose a safe venue to go out; look for the Best Bar None sign
• Don't get into an unlicensed taxi; use one you can trust. If possible arrange in advance to be picked up at the end of the night.

"We're hoping that, during Alcohol Free Week, people will avoid alcohol on at least one day and that avoiding alchol at least some of the time will become a lifestyle choice." - John Risby, The Alcohol-Free Shop.