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  7. Facts and Tips on Alcohol Consumption

Facts and Tips on Alcohol Consumption

Social drinks

Did you know that...

  • Having four standard drinks doubles your risk of an alcohol-related injury?
  • Your risk increases with every extra drink you have after consuming four standard drinks? 

How drinking alcohol affects your mental health

Understand the effects alcohol can have on depression.

Tips for staying out of trouble with alcohol

  • Remember to eat, hydrate, pace yourself and plan
  • Have regular alcohol-free days.
  • If you choose to drink, start with a non-alcoholic drink first. Then make sure you have a non-alcoholic drink (such as water or juice) between each alcoholic drink.
  • Dilute your alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic mixer, ice or water.
  • Eat a meal before you head out for a drink and continue to eat while you are drinking too. This helps slow the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol.
  • Know what you are drinking, eg, cocktails might not taste very alcoholic but they generally are!
  • Avoid getting into ‘rounds’ or ‘shouts’. They can make you drink faster and drink more than usual.
  • Set limits for yourself and stick to them. Don’t let other people talk you into drinking more than you want.
  • Do something other than drink at a social event. Dancing, playing music or games can take the focus away from drinking.

Warning signs that you or someone you know may be having problems with alcohol use

  • Drinking more often and larger amounts
  • Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
  • Inability to control how often and how much alcohol is consumed
  • Drinking alcohol even when you don’t want to
  • Feeling hung over when you don’t drink alcohol
  • Difficulty with meeting responsibilities, such as appointments, work or assignment deadlines
  • Noticing changes to normal life activities, such as socialising less or only socialising with people who drink
  • Feeling ill or moody when you don’t drink alcohol
  • Increased spending on alcohol
  • Getting into risky or dangerous situations
  • Other people expressing concerns about your drinking or behaviour when you drink alcohol
  • Loss of friends and relationships
  • Lying about the amount of alcohol being consumed to family and friends