Drinkaware’s top tips for a Christmas to remember

01 Dec 2008

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The Drinkaware Trust (Drinkaware), a UK charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm, has compiled some top tips for partygoers to help them have a merry – and memorable – Christmas.

Alcohol consumption in Britain increases by 40% in December*, more than any other country in the world. Most of us have probably experienced some of the short-term effects of ‘over-doing it’ at this time of year, including nausea, dehydration and temporary memory loss.

To make this Christmas one to remember, Drinkaware suggests the following tips:

  • Avoid drinking on an empty stomach – food slows down the absorption of alcohol
  • Pace yourself, there’s no rush – drink slowly
  • Include soft drinks in your celebration
  • Don’t leave yourself vulnerable – plan your journey home

The morning after:

  • Drink plenty of water to rehydrate
  • Avoid ‘hair of the dog’ – it doesn’t work!
  • Over-done it? Have two alcohol-free days

Up to a million business-card size Christmas ‘tip cards’ have been distributed to over 2000 pubs across the UK, containing tips, unit guidelines, and links to a 24 hour helpline and drinkaware.co.uk. A further 10,000 tip cards will be given to taxi passengers in London, with 300 black cabs’ supersides and tip seats displaying advice to partygoers.

Drinkaware’s new CEO, Chris Sorek, said: “It’s all too easy to drink too much during the festive season. By distributing tip cards in pubs and licensed taxis, we hope to offer practical guidance to consumers who want to enjoy Christmas without experiencing the negative effects of over-doing it.”

To find out more about how to survive the Christmas party season, visit drinkaware.co.uk, which includes a unit calculator, drinks diary, health fact sheets, lifestyle features, short films and more.

-Ends-

For further information, including images, please contact:
Emily May
Communications Officer
The Drinkaware Trust
Tel: 020 7307 7459
Email: emay@drinkawaretrust.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
*Source: guardian.co.uk, December 2004

The Drinkaware Trust:

  • The Drinkaware Trust is an independent UK charity that aims to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm by providing people with practical advice and information. It fulfils a challenge set by Government in the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for an industry-supported fund to provide education, information and campaigning activity for consumers.
  • Drinkaware.co.uk is the UK’s leading online alcohol information portal. It features an interactive unit calculator that can accurately assess unit intake per session, a drinks diary, a self assessment test, and numerous useful hints and tips. Whatever your age, situation or stage of life, drinkaware.co.uk can provide you with all the information you need to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.

 


 

Page last updated by
Root User, 19 Apr 2010.
 

Additional information:

Key information about Drinkaware

Drinkaware aims to change the UK’s drinking habits for the better. We promote responsible drinking and find innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture and tackle alcohol misuse.

An independent charity, we are supported by voluntary donations from across the drink’s industry to equip people with the knowledge they need to make decisions about how much they drink.

We also  work with organisations and individuals across the UK, providing accessible information about alcohol and its effects to employers, young people, teachers, parents and community workers. Using a range of mediums, such as film, multimedia and TV, we help dispel myths and present the honest facts about alcohol.