‘Tis the season to be jolly! You know what that means? Adult beverages at parties and gatherings. Of course, drinking isn’t limited to this season alone, but it does hold a prominent place during this time of the year.

A study published by The Lancet found that alcoholic consumption has been on the rise globally between 1990 and 2017, and is expected to continue to increase through 2030. In Southeast Asia, countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos saw between a 40-90% increase, some of the highest in Asia and the world [1, 2].

During the COVID-19 pandemic this past year, quarantines and social isolation have made stress more common, which is a known contributing factor to alcohol misuse [3]. Groups such as Nielson and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia have already reported an increase in alcoholic purchases following the outbreak of COVID-19 [4, 5].

Once you take your first sip, the alcohol will begin to impact your body. What does it lead to? Here’s a quick overview of the possible effects [6]:

source for image: Healthline [6].

With that being said, here are some quick tips to practice when you are drinking [6, 7]:

Before Drinks

• Let someone know you’re going to be out and about.
• Eat something, even if it’s just a snack.
• Make your first drink a non-alcoholic beverage so that your meal has time to settle.

During Drinks

• Want to escape an awkward conversation? Don’t head to the bar but instead, walk around or beeline for the toilet.
• Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (or good ol’ warm water works like a charm).
• Sip slowly and put down the glass after each sip.
• Nibble on finger food.
• Avoid salty snacks (such as potato chips and peanuts) which will make you thirstier and reach for that drink more often.
• Use juices as your mixers instead of soft drinks .
• Check yourself often through the night.

After Drinks

• Don’t get behind the wheel. Get a taxi or a rideshare home.
• Drink a glass of orange juice before you sleep.
• Keep a record of how much you’ve drank to keep a tally on your drinking habits.

Even if you just practice a few of these tips, you’ll find that your night (and the morning after) will be improved. Drinking responsibly doesn’t mean sitting at home with a bad case of FOMO. Have fun, but be safe!

References:

1. Manthey J, Shield K, Rylett M, Hasan O, Probst C, Rehm J. Global alcohol exposure between 1990 and 2017 and forecasts until 2030: a modelling study. The Lancet [Internet]. 2019 [cited 18 November 2020];393(10190).Available from:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32744-2/fulltext#back-bib2

2. Buchholz K. Where alcoholic consumption is rising and falling in Asia [Internet]. Statista. [citied 18 November 2020]. Available from: https://www.statista.com/chart/18009/annual-liters-of-alcohol-consumed-per-person-and-change-in-asia/

3. Clay, JM, Parker, MO. Alcohol use and misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: a potential public health crisis? [Internet] Lancet Public Health [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from:  https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanpub/PIIS2468-2667(20)30088-8.pdf

4. Rebalancing the ‘COVID-19 Effect’ on alcohol sales [Internet]. The Nielson Company [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from:https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/rebalancing-the-covid-19-effect-on-alcohol-sales/

5. Colbert, S, Wilkinson, C, Thornton, L, et al. COVID-19 and alcohol in Australia: industry changes and public health impacts [Internet]. Drug Alcohol Rev. [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from:: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7300689/

6. Pietrangelo A. 23 Effects of Alcohol on Your Body [Internet]. Healthline. Healthline Media; 2018 [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from:https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body

7. 10 tips to cut down on alcohol [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. [cited 18 November 2020]. Available from:  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ten-tips/10-tips-to-cut-down-on-alcohol