Drinking alcohol can be a part of a healthy lifestyle if done safely.

Here are some

tips to help you drink safely:

Understand how much alcohol you are having and how much you should have: Drinking
too much alcohol can lead to embarrassment, injury, accidents, and health problems.
To reduce the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury, you
should follow the Australian Guidelines. The Australian Guidelines recommend
healthy adults should drink a maximum of 10 standard drinks a week, and no more
than 4 standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains about 10 grams of
ethanol (alcohol), which is the amount your body can process in one hour. How much
alcohol you can handle depends on your age, weight, sex, and how you feel at the
time. Drinking more than the recommended amount can increase your risk of
accidents, injuries, and hangover. Regularly drinking too much also increases your
risk of developing ongoing health problems. These can include heart disease,
cancer, liver disease, mental illness, and brain damage 1.

Eat before (and during) drinking sessions: Alcohol enters your bloodstream through
your stomach and small intestine. If your stomach is empty when you start drinking,
the alcohol will enter your bloodstream faster. You may feel the effects of your
drinks quickly, making it harder to manage your drinking. It’s a good idea to eat
before your first drink, and while you are drinking. Drink plenty of water. Don’t
mix alcohol with sugary or energy drinks. Avoid salty snacks while drinking. They
can make you thirsty and more likely to drink more 1.

Count your drinks: It’s easy to drink more than you realize. A standard drink is a
can or bottle of mid-strength beer, 100ml of wine, or a 30ml shot of spirits.
Drinks served in bars or restaurants often contain more than one standard drink.
Set yourself a drinks limit and stick to it. Avoid drinking in rounds (especially
with friends who drink too much). Try to finish your drink before you start
another, rather than topping up your glass. Use this standard drink calculator from
Your Room to work out how much you are drinking 1.

Slow your intake with alcohol-free drinks: The amount of alcohol in your blood
(blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) influences how alcohol affects you. The
higher your BAC, the more at risk you are of injury or overdose. The faster you
drink, the higher your BAC, as your body can only process one standard drink per
hour. To keep safe, slow your drinking down to one drink per hour. You can do this
by drinking non-alcoholic drinks as well as alcoholic drinks, drinking water to
quench your thirst before you start drinking alcohol 1.

Avoid drinking and driving: Never drink alcohol and drive a car. If you are going
to drink, have a designated driver, or plan an alternative way home, such as a taxi
or bus. DO NOT drink on an empty stomach. Snack before and while drinking alcohol
2.

Remember, drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems. If you are
concerned about your drinking habits, talk to your doctor or a qualified health
professional