Before the Party
Figure out what your transportation options are going to be. How are you getting there? How are you getting back? There are options for getting home such as having a designated driver, or knowing local transportation services.
Talk with your friends and set a limit of how many drinks you’re going to have. They can help keep you on-target so you don’t risk alcohol poisoning or blacking out.
Have a good meal. If you eat high protein and carbohydrate-rich foods, your body will absorb alcohol more slowly. Remember, this won’t prevent getting drunk; it just won’t happen as fast.
Find somebody to go with you. If you stick with a buddy and leave together you can reduce the risk of being assaulted and make sure nobody is left behind.
Consider your reasons for drinking. It can be fun to celebrate special occasions with a drink, but if you’re drinking to reduce stress, release anger or get over a breakup, you might be heading down a rough road. Alcohol is a depressant and could intensify the negative feelings you already have.
At the Party
Drinking games may be fun, but it’s often hard to tell how much and for how long you’ve been drinking.
It’s easy to drink a lot in a short period of time, depending on the game, and you may get drunk very quickly and have to deal with the consequences.
Keep track of your drink and be aware of your surroundings.
Stay with one type of alcohol. Switching from one drink to another will cause your blood sugar to rise and fall and possibly make you sick. This isn’t a great way to end your night.
Your liver needs about 1 hour to process each alcoholic drink, depending on your size, the food you’ve eaten and other factors. Remember to pace yourself. It’s a good idea to alternate your drinks with water to stay hydrated.
After the Party
Make sure you leave with your friends.
Talk with your friends and make sure they get home safely.
Drink water to re-hydrate yourself. Since alcohol can have dehydrating effects, drinking water may reduce the chance that you’ll have a hangover the next day.
If any of your friends are very drunk, stay with them and check on them periodically throughout the night. Even if a person has stopped drinking, their BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) can still rise, so make sure to check if they show signs of alcohol poisoning. If they show the signs, call 911 – it is the only way to help them.
How to Stay Safe
Alcohol is the #1 date rape drug. Since alcohol can lower your inhibitions and make it difficult to resist an attacker, drinking alcohol increases the risk of sexual assault.
There are many date rape drugs being used today, including Rohypnol (Roofies), GHB (Liquid E), and Ketamine (Special K). All three of these substances severely impair the way your body functions, and Ketamine and Rohypnol can come in pill or powder form. GHB is a liquid.
Rohypnol and GHB can make you feel drunk or disoriented after only 15-30 minutes, and both can cause unconsciousness, amnesia and even death. Ketamine acts very quickly, and you may be aware of what is happening to you but unable to move.
If you or someone you know feels drunk after only a short period of time, get help ASAP because you may have been drugged.
Never leave a drink unattended, even for just a minute.
If you go into another room with someone and they lock the door, get out immediately or call for help.
Going to a party is a fun way to meet people, but if someone you just met wants to take or walk you home alone, thank her/him for the offer and leave with your friends. If you’re still interested in her/him the next day, make the phone call or visit when you’re sober.
Never walk home alone. Travel in a group with friends—arrive together and always leave together.