How do you cope with the festive season if you’re
staying sober or trying to drink less? Start by
following the survival guide to responsible drinking
published today by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and
Other Drugs.
With 57% of people more likely to binge-drink at
Christmas, many of us will have woken up during the
holidays with a banging headache, hazy recollection
of the previous night or even worse. But by
remembering a few handy hints, it’s easy to have a
great time whilst staying safe and avoiding that
raging hangover. The Council’s tips include:
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Avoid
drinking on an empty stomach
–
better still, eat while you drink.
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Drink
only when you really want too
and miss one out
now and again.
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Making
sure you decide beforehand who’s going to drive home
–
don’t leave yourself vulnerable.
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The survival guide also includes top tips for
helping your party go with a bang…whilst ensuring
that your guests don’t have one tipple too many.
“Responsible drinking means never having to say
sorry or feel guilty for what has happened while you
were drinking,” said Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief
Executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other
Drugs. “Many people get into difficulty with alcohol
at Christmas because their drinking habits differ
from the usual, so some simple little hints like
these can help remind people how to keep safe. Everyone should be able to have a good
time, whether they choose to drink or not.”
The Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs
was set up 1968
by several Welsh Christian denominations, including
the Presbyterian Church of Wales. It is supported to
this day by the PCW.
Since
Wynford Ellis Owen’s appointment in 2008, the
Council has embarked upon an exciting and
imaginative three-year strategy concentrating on
promoting ‘Choice and Responsible Living.’ A
corner-stone of that strategy is facilitating the
establishment of
The Living Room Cardiff. This brand new
charitable venture aims to set up a free, bilingual
day-care rehabilitation centre in the capital to
help people break the cycle of addiction. In time,
the service will be extended to all major towns
throughout Wales.
