What are tips for alcohol safety at parties?

            During the discussion about drinking, and how easily it can be to get something slipped into your drink, or over do it and get alcohol poisoning. I wanted to find out tips for safe drinking at a party, and safe alcohol tips in general.

Tips for Alcohol Safety:

1. Designate a sober driver.
2. Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat foods high in protein and fat, such as cheese or nuts.
3. Set a limit and stick to it!
4. Avoid beer bongs, chugging, and drinking games.
5. Know when you’ve had enough.
6. Alternate alcoholic beverages with water, and be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
7. Never drink when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.
8. Pace yourself. Drink slower and eat in between alcohol drinks. It takes the body 60-90 minutes to fully feel
   the effects of alcohol on a full stomach.
9. Know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
10. Never leave your drinks unattended or accept an open beverage from anyone.

A major tip that can help save lives is to know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, which are:

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)
• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
• Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

            If alcohol poisoning goes untreated a person can become severely dehydrated which can stop their breathing, cause a seizure, permanent brain damage, even death. Its' important to be smart if you plan on drinking.

Lyndsey R. W. 

http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students/atod/resources/alcohol/tips.htm