It’s time to celebrate the Irish and all things green! On St. Patrick’s Day, if you’re planning to down a pint of green beer – or any drink containing alcohol – plan ahead for a safe celebration.

When you drink alcohol, your decision-making skills and ability to drive start to suffer long before you show any signs of intoxication. As you continue drinking, your inhibitions drop, and you may have trouble controlling your behavior – which can sometimes have disastrous consequences. Your judgment and coordination can be impaired for hours after you take your last drink.

While the safest course of action is not to drink alcohol, here are tips to help reduce your risk if you choose to drink:

• Set a safe limit for yourself before you start drinking. When considering how much to drink, be aware that a standard-sized drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or one shot of hard liquor in a mixed drink.
• Do not drink alcohol if you are taking medications – even if you plan to take medication several hours before or several hours after you drink. Many common over-the-counter and subscription medications interact with alcohol, and medications take time to clear the body.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Food can help slow alcohol absorption, and it may also minimize stomach irritation and gastrointestinal distress the next day.
• Don’t let others get your drinks, and never leave your drink unattended.
• Never drink and drive. Make arrangements in advance with a ride-sharing service or choose a designated driver who does not drink alcohol.

If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration:

• Stay sober so that you can act responsibly throughout the event.
• Have plenty of alcohol-free drinks such as water, juice and soda available for your guests. Consider making mocktails – alcohol-free cocktails – or other fun options such as a coffee bar or ice cream sodas.
• Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
• Plan activities that do not involve drinking alcohol.
• Help your guests get home safely. Anyone getting behind the wheel of a car should not have had any alcohol.
• Do not allow underage drinking.

Sources:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Mothers Against Drunk Driving