With the festive season in full swing, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) encourages people to plan ahead and use simple steps for healthier, safer celebrations.

Chief executive officer, Dr Erin Lalor AM, said for some, this time of year and drinking goes hand-in-hand, but there are easy ways people can reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms such as accidents and injuries.

“We want everyone to have a great time and make it home safely,” Dr Lalor said.

“So, if you are drinking, the safest option is not to drive; plan ahead and organise alternative transport home, such as a rideshare, taxi, or assigning a designated driver.

“Sobering up takes time, which means it might not be safe for you to drive the next day.

“On average, the liver gets rid of about one standard drink an hour; coffee, cold showers, fresh air or exercise unfortunately don’t remove alcohol from the bloodstream any faster.”

Other tips for people drinking over the festive season include:

-Set a limit before you start drinking and stick to it. Don’t feel pressured to drink heavily just because party hosts are providing drinks or someone’s covering the bar tab;

Don’t let others top up your glass, as you may lose track of how many drinks you’ve had;

Avoid drinking in rounds, as you may end up drinking more than planned;

Drink lots of water between alcoholic beverages. Eating before and while drinking is also recommended, as it will help to slow the absorption of alcohol, and;

Get up and move. Occupy yourself to help reduce the amount you’re drinking, for example: play pool, talk to friends, sing karaoke or hit the dance floor.

Sticking to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) alcohol guidelines is an easy way to keep an eye on how many standard drinks you’re having and keep within safer drinking limits.

“The alcohol guidelines recommend healthy adults drink no more than four standard drinks in one day to reduce the risk of injury and no more than 10 standard drinks a week to reduce the risk of serious long-term health impacts like cancer,” Dr Lalor explained.

“The guidelines also recommend those under 18, or people who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not to drink. For people who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby.”

For more healthy coping strategy suggestions, check out the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s website: https://adf.org.au/insights/reach-for-self-care/

If you are unhappy or worried about your own, or a loved one’s alcohol or other drug use, visit Path2Help: https://adf.org.au/help-support/path2help/

For information or support, people can also contact the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s DrugInfo line on 1300 85 85 84.