Staying safe on holiday

Alcohol is sometimes associated with holiday relaxation. However, for some people it can be tempting to drink more than usual when taking a break from the everyday routine, especially if the weather is hot. And this can lead to taking unnecessary risks with your health, and your personal safety, while away.

Watch out for larger spirit measures

The first thing to remember is that holiday drinks can sometimes be stronger than you expect.

In UK pubs, a standard measure for spirits is 25ml. In some countries measures can be much larger, or bar staff may pour alcohol without measuring it. This makes it much harder to keep track of how much alcohol you’re drinking – especially if you add cocktails into the mix.

The hidden health effects of holiday drinking

Holiday binge drinking can have some frightening consequences. A condition called Holiday Heart Syndrome, for example, refers to rapid, abnormal heart rhythms which occur when people drink much more than usual.¹ However, it’s important not to be misled by the term ‘Holiday Heart’ as the condition can occur after any period of heavy drinking, not just while you’re on holiday. Find out exactly how many units and calories are in your drink with our Unit and Calorie Calculator.

The syndrome causes your blood pressure to change and increases your risk of having a heart attack.^2,3

Avoiding accidents on holiday

The more you drink the more likely you are to have an accident,⁴ this could be especially dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings. So, when you're away, it's important not to go off by yourself if you've been drinking. It might be a good idea to take a small battery pack, you can slip in your bag or pocket, to make sure your phone is always charged and you are contactable.

Because it’s a depressant, alcohol slows down the brain and affects the body’s responses.⁵ It affects your muscles, making simple movements harder and can numb your senses. That's why it's particularly important to avoid swimming under the influence of alcohol.⁶

Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning could save a life

Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to alcohol poisoning. Acute alcohol poisoning is extremely dangerous and can result in serious harm and death. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, you should get help immediately. Better safe than sorry should always be your motto. In many countries you can reach the emergency services by calling 112 free of charge.

Remember, if you regularly drink above the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) low risk drinking guidelines (no more than 14 units a week, spread over several days, with several drink-free days, and no bingeing) you're increasing your risk of long-term health issues, including heart disease, cancer and dementia.⁷

It’s crucial that you are able to recognise the symptoms and know what to do if you suspect someone may have alcohol poisoning.

Effects on your mood

Binge drinking can also affect your mood.⁸ And because alcohol disrupts your sleep⁹ you may find yourself more irritable than when you are well-rested – not much fun for your travel companions. On top of this, when you're abroad, language barriers and cultural differences might make it difficult to understand what’s going on. Add the fact alcohol impairs judgement¹⁰ and this can lead to tricky or even dangerous situations.

Track how much you're drinking while on holiday using the MyDrinkaware app