Drinking has become almost a norm in parties, gatherings and social events here. However, as much as alcohol can be used to liven up the party, it may lead to negative consequences if not consumed responsibly. Know your limits and the situation you are in before starting to drink. In addition, always consider your safety and that of others too. Read on for more tips on responsible drinking.

For some of us, a party is not a party unless there is booze. While pints of beer or shots of alcoholic drinks might liven up a party or social event, more does not necessarily mean merrier. Just like other things in life, moderation is the key. Drinking can be enjoyable and fun when consumed responsibly and moderately.

Being a responsible drinker means knowing when to drink, how much is too much, planning ahead, and being in control of your drink.

It's better to be safe

• If you are going to drink alcohol, make transport plans ahead to get back home safely.
• Get help if necessary, from people you can trust.
• Do not leave your drink unattended in order to prevent others from spiking it.
• Help your friends if they have had too many drinks.
• Do not drink at all for several hours before you do activities that are potentially risky, such as driving, swimming, boating etc.

Be in control

You can have control over what and how much you drink. In addition, there are also ways to reduce the harm from drinking. The important thing is to make safety and health your priority. Here are some tips:

• Keep track of how much you are drinking by checking the number of standard alcoholic drinks consumed.
• Do not allow or do top-ups; finish your drink before refilling in order to keep track of how many drinks you are having.
• Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Women should drink no more than 2 standard drinks a day and men should not drink no more than 3 standard drinks a day.
• Be assertive and do not allow yourself to be pressured to drink more than your limit.
• Have a "spacer" by alternating between non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic ones.
• Drink slowly and do not drink alcohol to quench your thirst.
• Do not just sit around and drink. Instead, go up and dance or chat with people.
• Avoid drinking games. These make it easy for you to lose track of the amount you are drinking.
• Eat before and during drinking, but avoid eating food that makes you thirsty.
• Try a low alcohol alternative or a pre-mixed drink.