Assign a designated driver.

A designated driver eliminates the dangers of drinking and driving, and ensures you will get home safely. They can also be helpful in preventing someone from making bad decisions under the influence and paying attention to the surrounding of those who are drinking and may be vulnerable.

Use public transportation.

Using public transportation is the best way to eliminate driving after a drink or two during the day. Remember, even one drink can affect your ability to drive safely.

Plan ahead.

By planning ahead, you can reduce many of the problems that are associated with drinking. Plan so that you are not drinking excessively, but rather drinking if desired on special occasions. It is important to be able to enjoy yourself without alcohol. Also plan so that you are never, ever put in a position where drinking will be followed by driving.

Stay at a friends.

If you are going to be drinking without a designated driver, it is always a good idea to plan ahead and arrange a place to stay so there are no worries. By arranging someone to pick you up or somewhere to stay when drinking, you will never be faced with the unfortunate decision to drive after drinking. This can be dangerous and can lead to stiff criminal penalties, if you don't harm or kill anyone, or yourself.

Seek help.

If alcohol has become more of an addiction that a moderate activity, there are many options you can seek to help. You are not alone! Many people have dealt with alcohol addiction with great success. There are a lot of people who care and are happy to be a friend while you work to resolve alcohol dependency issues.

What to consider before you drink.

Drinking alcohol is a popular social occurrence that happens in many different ways and has been a part of human civilization for as long as history goes back. The fermentation of different things causes them to create ethanol. Whether it is a cold beer, a glass of cabernet or a shot of whiskey, they all have a place and time that they are acceptable. While drinking may be enjoyable for some, there is no person who can drink without accepting certain conditions and responsibilities. By drinking, you need to understand that there can be severe repercussions if you do not plan accordingly. These consequences can be physical, mental, and social. They can range in severity from a hangover, a night in jail, or even death to yourself or an innocent member of society.

Mental Side Effects

Drinking alcohol for many can make them feel more confident or relaxed in social situations. There is nothing wrong with having a drink in moderation if you do so enjoy, but alcohol is an easily abused substance for many reasons. It's vast availability in almost every nook and cranny of the world creates a situation where you are never far from a drink. Drinking excessively can lead to depression, anger, dependence, lethargy, and other issues.

Physical Side Effects

Alcohol in moderation is not overly harmful to the body, but taking it past a moderate amount can really cause many different facets of physical danger. Many people participate in a practice called "binge drinking", where large amounts of alcohol are ingested, usually in group settings such as parties. This can create a dangerous situation for many reasons; inhibitions are lowered, and you may make mistakes that you regret. You may be sexually active with someone that you would normally not, or easily coerced into behaviors that you are not comfortable with. Long term, you can cause severe liver, stomach and throat damage and cirrhosis of the liver may develop. You may harm yourself unknowingly from erratic drunk behavior. Some people become violent and start physical altercations with others that may lead to serious injuries. Of course, drinking and driving creates a deadly catalyst of lowered response abilities and concentration with fast speeds and thousands of pounds of mechanical inertia. A car wreck is a devastatingly common occurrence for those who drink and drive, and usually more than just the driver is a victim to harm or death.

Social Repercussions

Socially it is not acceptable for those around us to drink to a point that causes harm, either physically or mentally to us or others. Many people know someone who has been hurt from drinking. An uncle who struggles with alcohol addiction and cirrhosis; a friend who had unprotected sex while drunk which lead to STD or unplanned pregnancies; a mother who lost her son after he drank and got behind the wheel. The most important thing when drinking is to always maintain a safe environment, similar to driving, and to be vigilant in identifying when a drinking dependency problem is present.

Maintaining a Safe Driving Environment

Driving alone can be very dangerous, and it is important to always take safety precautions and maintain a responsible driving atmosphere. Click here to find out more about being a safe and responsible driver.