Drinking has become almost a norm in parties, gatherings and social events here. However, as much as alcohol can be used to liven up the party, it may lead to negative consequences if not consumed responsibly.

Moderate Your Alcohol Consumption

For some of us, a party is not a party unless there is booze. While pints of beer or shots of spirits might liven up a party or social event, more does not necessarily mean merrier. Just like other things in life, moderation is key. Read on for more tips on responsible drinking.

It's Better To Be Safe

Curb alcohol abuse with responsible drinking

In Janurary 2023, the World Health Organization published a statement in The Lancet Public Health: when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health. If you are drinking, know that you can practise responsible drinking by:

  • Make transport plans in advance to get back home safely.
  • Get help from people you can trust.
  • Do not leave your drink unattended to prevent others from spiking it.
  • Help your friends if they have had too many drinks.
  • Do not drink if you know you will be doing potentially risky activities later on, such as driving, swimming, boating etc.

Related: Alcohol and Health — Set Your Drinking Limits

Be in Control to Avoid Binge Drink and Alcohol Abuse

Keep a close eye on your refills, know your alcohol limit

You can have control over what and how much you drink. In addition, there are also ways to reduce the harm from drinking. The important thing is to make safety and health your priority. Here are some tips:

  • Keep track of how much you are drinking by checking the number of standard alcoholic drinks consumed.
  • Do not allow or do top-ups; finish your drink before refilling to track how many drinks you are having.
  • Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. As a guide, keep to two drinks for males and one drink for females in one drinking session.
  • Be assertive and do not allow yourself to be pressured to drink more than your limit.
  • Have a "spacer" by alternating between non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic ones.
  • Drink slowly, and do not drink alcohol to quench your thirst.
  • Do not just sit around and drink. Instead, go up and dance or chat with people.
  • Avoid drinking games. These make it easy for you to lose track of the amount you are drinking.
  • Eat before and during drinking, but avoid eating food that makes you thirsty. Try a low alcohol alternative or mocktail.

Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.