Alcohol plays a huge role in deaths and accidents, and in December, particularly so, with the higher holiday opportunities for overindulging.
Make a resolution to get through the holidays drinking LESS. (Obviously, if you are problem drinker, you need to get through the holidays completely alcohol-free.)
Easier said than done? Not true! Consider these suggestions. 
- Sit next to the sober people! Just as you can lose weight if you eat what the skinny people do, you will drink less if you are hanging out with the non-drinking party-goers. This does not limit you to pregnant women and the kids; plenty of people don’t drink or are even the designated driver for the evening. And they are looking for you, the person who isn’t drinking!
- Volunteer to be the designated driver. When you are the designated driver (and you announce it loudly at the beginning of the party), there is no social pressure to drink and you have the responsibility to be completely sober. When you know you are driving family and friends home and their safety depends on your behavior, that tempting drink seems pretty unimportant.
- Limit your alcohol to just the mealtime. Enjoy your glass or wine, beer or cocktail, but limit it to while you are sitting at the table.
- Host the party so that you can control the amount and what type of alcohol is served. If scotch is your weakness, you, the host, can decide not to buy the scotch!
- Visualize the behavior you desire. John McGrail, Ph.D., author of The Synthesis Effect, says, “Imagine yourself not going beyond your appropriate limit and walking out of the event feeling great, with a big smile on your face. Having pictured the desired behavior, your inner computer will choose that reality, making it much easier to drink less or not at all.”
- Involve your partner in your decision to cut back drinking.
- If you are attending a traditionally drinking-heavy event, limit your time there or limit how much you will drink before you leave. Then, immediately leave when you have hit either your time limit or your drink limit.
- Be aware of mood fluctuation. Avoid being tempted by drink when facing depression or anxiety.
- Keep water or a non-alcoholic drink with you all night. Sip this drink regularly, slowing down your intake of alcohol.
And, of course, if despite all precaustions, you are in an accident caused by weather, another driver or yourself, feel free to give us a call. Advice is free and we’d love to help.
