News- Messy Christmas or Merry Christmas

Messy Christmas or Merry Christmas

It is Christmas time again, and many people find their social life is a whirl of office parties, family get-togethers and trips down to the pub. Alcohol consumption in Britain increases by 40% in December* and last December saw more than 7,500 alcohol related hospital admissions in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Drug & Alcohol Action Team (BDAAT) has compiled some top tips for partygoers to help them have a merry, not a messy Christmas.

Some of these tips include:

Drink water in between alcohol – it’ll help reduce your headache in the morning!! Or drink a couple of glasses of water before bed!!!
Eat something early on so your body absorbs alcohol slower
If the drink is hitting you quickly, head to the dance floor for a break (and burn some calories!!)
Try a reduced alcohol beer – like Becks Blue, Carling C2 or even a Stella4
Have a wine spritzer instead of a large glass of wine
Have singles, not double measures with a low alcohol mixer instead of a cocktail – it’s less calories!!!
Don’t mix drinks - it only makes your hangover worse!!
Save the number for a reliable taxi firm in your phone – and pre-book if you can
Always go home with a friend
Make sure your mobile phone is charged and has credit before going out
Don’t forget - BE SAFE!

Up to 17,000 Christmas cards have been distributed across Birmingham, to pubs, leisure centres, universities, community centres and GP surgeries containing the top tips and advice. To support the campaign a video has been produced showing the perils of excessive drinking and will demonstrate things the viewer can do to avoid becoming too drunk too quickly. The video will be hosted on Galaxy radio website until the new year and will also be available to view on ‘You Tube’.

To view the video go to http://www.galaxybirmingham.co.uk/page/7499

Max Vaughan, BDAAT Lead Commissioner for Alcohol Services, said, ‘The festive season is a time for celebration and a time for enjoyment which can quite easily lead to people over indulging and drinking too much alcohol. By distributing these ‘tip cards’ we hope that we can offer practical advice to people who wish to enjoy the Christmas festivities but without experiencing the negative effects of drinking too much.

This campaign won’t be telling people to avoid alcohol, but to consider these basic tips when they are drinking so that they have a happy and safe night out.”

If you’re concerned about your or someone else’s alcohol use and would like to speak to someone confidentially, call 0800 073 0817.

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