20 May 2019

Everyone likes to let their hair down during the summer and local common riding season - and enjoy the extra socialising that comes with it.

This summer please play #yourpart by planning ahead and following these sensible top tips which can help you enjoy the festivities whilst keeping you safe.

  • Always eat before you go out - alcohol on an empty stomach makes people drunk more quickly.
  • Try to avoid having drinks before going out - home measures can be a lot larger which can result in people being drunk by the time they reach the pub, club or bar and may result in them not being allowed in.
  • Be aware of how many units you are consuming - a large glass of wine can contain 3 units of alcohol. It is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis (this applies to both men and women). This keeps your health risks from drinking to a low level.
  • Drink at your own pace - avoid being in a ‘round’. If you are in a round it tends to go with the person who is drinking the fastest. If you’re not ready for another alcoholic drink then have a soft drink or some water.
  • Keep an eye on your drinks and don’t leave them unattended.
  • Stop drinking if you start to feel sick, dizzy or unwell.
  • Plan how you’re going to get home before you go out - if you have had too much to drink, you are at a much greater risk of having an accident, or coming to harm because you are vulnerable, especially if you are alone – so please stick with your friends.

Are you having people round for a drink at home?

  • Always offers something to eat – dips and pitta bread or cheese and crackers are good alternatives to salty snacks which make people more thirsty.
  • Have non-alcoholic drinks available and make sure they are just as visible as the alcoholic drinks.
  • Have one person serve drinks, and if possible measure the drinks - people normally pour themselves larger drinks than they would get in a bar or pub, making it hard to keep check on how much alcohol they are consuming.

Further information on calorie and unit content in popular drinks can be found here: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Alcohol/safer-drinking

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking please visit /badp for more information.