Theresa Bravo, MD, with Family Practice Associates of Rockland in Valley Cottage, a member of Highland Medical, P.C., and affiliate of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, shares tips on how to consume alcohol responsibly during the holidays.
Alcohol can complicate the holiday season in many ways. These include driving under the influence, drinking too much at a holiday party, and figuring out how to host a gathering that’s festive but not alcohol-soaked. Theresa Bravo, MD, family medicine physician at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Family Practice Associates of Rockland, says if you choose to drink, consuming alcohol in moderation will make for a more enjoyable—and safe—holiday.
Keep in mind that moderate drinking is considered up to one drink per day for women, and up to two drinks per day for men. A drink is defined as 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer. Any more than this level on a daily basis is considered to be heavy drinking. Drinking more than a drink or two a day can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and heart disease. It can also impair your judgment, leading to risky behavior and poor decisions.
Don’t Drink and Drive
“Driving under the influence of alcohol causes so many accidents during the holidays,” Dr. Bravo says. “People don’t think about the consequence of what they’re doing, and end up endangering their own lives and the lives of others.” Appoint a designated non-drinking driver when you go out to a party, to make sure everyone gets home safe
Know Your Limits
If you’re a person who doesn’t always know your own limits when it comes to alcohol, Dr. Bravo suggests asking a trusted friend to keep an eye on how much you’re consuming—and tell you when you need to stop. One easy way to slow down your alcohol intake is to alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. “If you have a history of alcohol abuse, you should be attending support meetings before you go out to a holiday party,” she adds.
Eating before you drink can help the body absorb alcohol. But some foods, such as fatty foods, actually speed up the body’s absorption of alcohol, Dr. Bravo notes. She advises staying away from sweet alcoholic drinks. “You may end up drinking a lot because it tastes really good, but then you get drunk fast,” she says.
Be a Good Host
If you’re hosting a holiday party, you want your guests to have a good time, without overdoing it. Dr. Bravo recommends that if you are going to serve alcohol, stick to drinks with a lower alcohol content, such as beer and wine, instead of hard liquor. Don’t have too much alcohol lying around. “If it’s available, people will try to finish it off,” she says. “Let your guests try to make what you have last the entire evening.”
Offer plenty of non-alcohol beverages, as well as food. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends. Don’t serve alcohol to someone who’s intoxicated, and don’t pressure anyone to drink alcohol. Most important, don’t let anyone drive home drunk.
The Day After
If you wake up the day after a holiday party feeling hung over, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Don’t drink more alcohol—it will only make you feel worse. Eat bland foods, such as toast, crackers and clear soup. Go back to bed and get more rest. Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower won’t get rid of alcohol from your system. The only real cure for a hangover is time.
