But these, as well as the other associated affects of alcohol can be harmful. So how can you reduce the harm? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before <\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Eating before you drink will protect the stomach lining and slow down the onset rate of the alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- This helps you pace yourself better and will hopefully avoid nausea, bloating, or general stomach discomfort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plan what are you going to drink, how much and what time you\u2019d like to be home by.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thinking about these things before you start drinking will help you achieve the night out you want!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Think about your mindset<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- How we are feeling can impact our experience of using alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Using alcohol when we are feeling anxious can result in us drinking quicker and more than we intended.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Using alcohol when feeling down or upset can have unintended consequences such as being more impulsive or getting more upset than we were before we started.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- This can increase the risk of hurting ourselves or someone else.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
And setting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The environment you\u2019re in can change your experience of using alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Think about who you\u2019re with, or if you\u2019re ok drinking on your own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do you know the people you\u2019re with? Will they be supportive and caring if you need some help?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Is this a safe and comfortable environment to drink?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thinking about mindset and setting is a useful tool when deciding to use any drug including alcohol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
During <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Safety first<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Do not drink and drive – it\u2019s not worth it!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carry condoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid drinking alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pace yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Avoid drinking in rounds as you\u2019ll have to keep pace with the fastest drinker.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Consider spritzers, lager tops or low percentage spirits to avoid
drinking too much.<\/li>\n\n\n\n - Take breaks \u2013 if it\u2019s safe to do so, put your drink down in between sips.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Swap out every other drink for a non-alcoholic option to stay hydrated and pace yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do your research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- If you plan on mixing alcohol with other substances including prescribed medication like SSRI\u2019s (Anti-depressants), research how they will interact at drugsand.me<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How do I know if my friend needs help or just needs to sleep it off<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- If you spot these signs, your friend could have alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal if left untreated. Remember MUST HELP and then call for help:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- M<\/strong>ental confusion. U<\/strong>nresponsive S<\/strong>noring \/ Gasping for breath. T<\/strong>hrowing up. H<\/strong>ypothermia. E<\/strong>rratic Breathing. L<\/strong>oss of consciousness. P<\/strong>ale or blue skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
After<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hangxiety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Drinking alcohol suppresses anxiety chemicals but as it is processed and leaves the body, the anxiety chemicals can rebound coming back stronger than before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hangxiety can also be exacerbated from blacking out or having periods of time where you can\u2019t remember what happened, which will fuel the anxiety further.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- To try to help the feelings, get out of bed, drink a large glass of water, have a shower and speak to a trusted friend about how you\u2019re feeling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you know alcohol affects your anxiety, consider drinking less.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Hair of dog<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Drinking alcohol when you\u2019re hungover is just delaying the inevitable and runs the risk of the hangover being even worse than it was initially.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There is no cure for a hangover other than time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Take a break<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The recommended weekly limit\/maximum for alcohol consumption is 14 units.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Having multiple days off alcohol each week may help prevent you becoming reliant on alcohol.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Think about making plans with friends which don\u2019t involve alcohol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you have more questions, need support or want to make a change to your alcohol use, just get in touch. You can find out more about me and the UWE drug and alcohol service on our drugs and alcohol webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n You might also be interested in… <\/span><\/h3>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2023\/12\/drugs-blog-image.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\nDrugs and alcohol<\/a>Welcome 2025<\/a><\/div>Do you know what harm reduction means?<\/a><\/h4>What do you think the University\u2019s policy is towards drugs and alcohol? Do you know what harm reduction means in …<\/div>Read More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Think about your mindset<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And setting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety first<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pace yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do your research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How do I know if my friend needs help or just needs to sleep it off<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hangxiety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hair of dog<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a break<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have more questions, need support or want to make a change to your alcohol use, just get in touch. You can find out more about me and the UWE drug and alcohol service on our drugs and alcohol webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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During <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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drinking too much.<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n
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After<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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You might also be interested in… <\/span><\/h3>
<\/a><\/div>\nDo you know what harm reduction means?<\/a><\/h4>
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