Annalia Bucknor-Black | Practise responsible drinking at home

Current COVID-19 realities have forced people to look for new ways to stay connected and alleviate boredom, with most aspects of life confined to home. More ‘nights-in’ and higher stress levels could increase the chances of overindulging in a favourite alcohol beverage.

While it’s perfectly normal to enjoy your favourite brew, it is important that you do so responsibly as, now more than ever, your health is your greatest wealth.

Here are some of professional tips on how to drink responsibly at home:

1. KNOW YOUR LIMIT

Everyone has a different tolerance level to alcohol, which is why it is important to exercise self-control and take cues from your body to know when to stop. Whether it is the first round of drinks or the third, if you start to experience the physical or mental symptoms of overconsumption, it is best to quit while you’re still ahead.

2. SIP YOUR DRINK

When consuming your alcoholic beverage, try drinking slowly to reduce the chances of overconsumption. Being home can lull you into a false sense of security, since you may think you will not have to contend with driving and other safety concerns. However, increased blood alcohol levels can still lead to injury or overdose. It is crucial to remain cognisant of dangers, such as impaired judgement and slow reaction times in case you need to act fast.

3. HAVE A MEAL AND PLENTY OF WATER

Drinking on an empty stomach is a definite no-no. It leads to quicker absorption of the alcohol into your bloodstream, which means it takes a shorter time for the consumer to feel the effects of the alcohol. Conversely, a heavy meal helps to slow the absorption of alcohol to the bloodstream. As such, it is best to plan meals in advance of when you intend to enjoy your cocktail.

Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration. Sipping water in-between your alcoholic beverage can reduce the amount of alcohol you consume and reduce your chances of becoming dehydrated and experiencing the associated symptoms.

4. DO NOT DRINK WHEN YOU ARE BORED OR IN A BAD MOOD

Drinking at home can be tricky because it is easy to drink too much, especially if you are alone and feeling bored or in a bad mood. Instead of consuming alcohol to pass your time, it is best to find other avenues to engage and entertain yourself, such as watching a movie, reading a book or participating in an indoor activity.

We may not be able to spend time with our loved ones physically, but we can get creative to stay connected. An occasional drink is fine, but do not make it your first and only choice.

5. ADHERE TO WORK-FROM-HOME (WFH) RULES

When working from home, adhere to your usual workplace rules, which is very likely to include ‘no drinking on the job’. Remember that after a lunch break, you should still be in a fit state to work – and that is not possible if you are under the influence of alcohol. There is a time for work and a time for play, so try not to blur the lines, even if you work from home.

6. ONLY DRINK IF YOU ARE 18 YEARS AND OLDER

With children now spending more time at home, they may get curious and discover alcohol, which may lead to the temptation to take a sip. There are several risks that come with underage drinking, which include brain damage, alcohol poisoning, inhibition of development, and sometimes death. As such, underage drinking is not recommended, and parents/guardians are encouraged to store alcohol products away from children.

This COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we socialise, and everyone is looking for new ways to enjoy themselves. With alcohol consumption comes the responsibility to ensure we do right by ourselves and by our loved ones, so we can stay connected with them and do the things we love. We are in the midst of a changing social culture, but one thing that should never change is drinking responsibly.

Take advantage of opportunities to learn more about how to consume alcohol responsibly. On December 3, the Jamaica, Wine and Spirits Network celebrated Enjoy Responsibly Day to raise awareness of the value of moderation and ways to tackle alcohol misuse, in particular the reduction of underage consumption.

Annalia Bucknor-Black is the occupational health and safety lead at Red Stripe. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.