If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.
You got the promotion and are putting on another stripe, your team won the championship or you got engaged. Nice! You have some celebrating to do which may include a night out with friends or staying home with your buddies.
Whatever the case, try not to overdo it by challenging yourself to drink responsibly when celebrating.
If you hang out at a local bar or a friend’s house, pick a designated driver who will not drink. If you’re the host at home, make sure everyone is safe by offering that they sleep over to avoid drunk driving, having a taxi number available or asking them for their keys if things get out of hand. They’ll thank you the next day!
Make a plan and stick to it. Think about how long you’ll be somewhere and decide how many drinks you plan to have. Avoid binge drinking and stick to no more than one alcoholic drink per hour. Commit to having a non-alcoholic drink (like water, soda or a mocktail) in between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated.
Whether you are out at a bar or staying in, drinking past your limit can happen. Stick to your limit by knowing what a standard drink is and figuring out how much alcohol is in the drink you love. Pro tip: the lines on red cups are a guide for how much beer, wine or liquor to pour so you can track your drinks in a standard way and not overdo it.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the fun, but don’t forget to eat before and during the celebration! Having food in your system slows down the absorption of alcohol. If you’re worried about calories, skipping the food and spending the cals on alcoholic drinks isn’t the answer. Treat your body the way it deserves to be treated and you’ll wake up the next morning feeling great without a crushing hangover!
Whether you are celebrating a team win or a personal goal, it’s about being with the people who had your back, not how much you can drink. Remember the reason for the celebration and enjoy it by owning your limit.
Don’t want to wake up to embarrassing pictures or drunk texts after a night out? You’re a person of integrity and are stronger than any peer pressure that comes your way. Prepare ways to say no and stick to your goals so you don’t have to worry. Make sure you are prepared for when someone tries to persuade you to have another drink and you’re at your limit.
If you have a hard time celebrating responsibly, it may be time to check your drinking habits or ask for help.
