Drinking alcohol is a common way of socializing with friends. However, it is crucial to be responsible and not drink too much to avoid getting too drunk quickly.
Getting too drunk exposes you to various risks like injuries, accidents and it can also lead to alcohol poisoning. With that said, here are some tips on how to avoid getting too drunk too quickly:.
1. Set a Limit for Yourself
If you don’t want to get too drunk too quickly, you should set a limit for yourself before you start drinking. This means you should know how many drinks you can handle before you get drunk.
Your limit will depend on various factors like your weight, gender, type of alcohol, and how much food you have eaten.
For instance, if you are a light drinker, you should not drink more than one to two drinks per hour. However, if you are a heavy drinker, you can handle more drinks per hour.
Additionally, it would help if you spaced your drinks by having water or non-alcoholic drinks in between cocktails.
2. Eat before Drinking Alcohol
If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, it will take a short time for you to get drunk. That is because the alcohol gets absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream.
However, if you eat before drinking alcohol, it slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, reducing the chance of getting too drunk too quickly.
Therefore, you should ensure you eat a solid meal high in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats before drinking alcohol. Some good foods that you can eat before drinking alcohol include cheese, nuts, and meats.
3. Drink Water in Between Alcoholic Beverages
Drinking water in between alcoholic beverages is one of the best strategies to avoid getting too drunk quickly. When you drink water, it helps keep you hydrated and slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
It also helps you pace yourself and avoid getting too drunk too quickly.
Additionally, if you drink water in between alcoholic drinks, it reduces the risk of dehydration, which can cause headaches, dizziness, and other health issues.
Therefore, to avoid getting too drunk too quickly, you should ensure you drink water regularly, especially when drinking alcoholic beverages.
4. Choose Lower Alcohol Drinks
One of the best ways to avoid getting too drunk quickly is by drinking lower alcohol beverages. Less alcohol drinks have a lower concentration of alcohol, meaning you can drink more without getting too drunk.
Additionally, less alcohol drinks also have fewer calories, making them ideal for those who want to control their weight.
For example, instead of drinking hard liquor, you should opt for drinks like beer, wine, or cocktails made with lower alcohol content. You can also opt for mixers like lemonade, soda, or tonic water to reduce the alcohol content further.
5. Avoid Drinking Games
Drinking games are fun, but they can also lead to excessive drinking, leading to getting drunk quickly. These games involve drinking as fast as possible, which can result in a high blood alcohol concentration and lead to alcohol poisoning.
Therefore, if you want to avoid getting too drunk too quickly, you should avoid drinking games. Instead, you can engage in activities like dancing, chatting with friends, or playing board games.
6. Know When to Stop Drinking
Knowing when to stop drinking is crucial when it comes to avoiding getting too drunk too quickly. It is essential to listen to your body’s warning signs, such as feeling dizzy, nauseous, or disoriented.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is time to stop drinking and seek medical attention if necessary.
The recommended guidelines for moderate drinking are one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
7. Make Use of Apps and Wellness Supports
Apps and wellness supports can be an excellent resource for someone trying to cut down on excessive drinking or stop drinking altogether.
There are plenty of apps and wellness supports that can offer you help such as tracking your drinking and support you in cutting down.
Some popular apps and wellness supports include:.
- MyLimit (a personalized drink tracker)
- NoMo (helps track progress towards sobriety and provides inspiration)
- Rethink Drinking (a program from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that helps you assess your drinking)
Conclusion
Getting too drunk too quickly exposes you to various risks that can cause health problems, injuries, and even death.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy your drinks responsibly, you should set limits for yourself, eat before drinking, drink water regularly, and choose less alcoholic drinks. Additionally, you should know when to stop drinking and avoid engaging in drinking games. Lastly, make use of apps and wellness support to help you cut down or quit excessive drinking.