Staying sober during Smirnoff Dream Weekend

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Getting drunk probably seemed like a really fun thing to do when you were younger, but as you come of age, you begin to realise how irresponsible this could be.

The Gleaner is promoting responsible drinking in this, the party season.

Smirnoff Dream Weekend has highlighted a number of tips to remain sober during its four-day party weekend.

Tip 1. Never drink on an empty stomach

Drinking too much can cause sickness, but drinking on an empty stomach can exacerbate the situation even further. Chips, peanuts and other snacks are NOT food. Alcohol absorption is increased by hunger. A person can get dizzier from one beer on an empty stomach than from two on a full one.

Tip 2. You decide how much you drink, not your friends

It's not a contest. You do not need to drink all the beers offered to you by your friends. Everyone wasn't born the same, so some have a greater tolerance for liquor than others. If you start feeling bad, it doesn't matter if your friends insist you keep drinking, just stop, and try as best as possible to leave. Drink juice or water instead. This applies especially to persons of slim build - alcohol absorption is dependent on body structure/weight, which also means generally girls are less alcohol resistant than boys. Men under 132 pounds or less, and women 110 pounds or less should drink less than others.

Tip 3. Drink more slowly ... No gulping

Take your time and enjoy your drink. Rushing your beer in a minute will only ensure that you have to stop more quickly. You'll feel compelled to get a new one. So, instead, make it last. Talk, take a sip, talk some more, eat a snack like chips or nuts, then talk some more, and dance. A cool tip from an Englishman is to mix beer and sprite - one bottle of beer, one can of sprite, mixed 50/50 in one glass. More drink and less alcohol concentration. Your friends won't even notice.

Tip 4. Don't mix types of alcohol and use 'spacers'

This is also well known ‹ don't drink different types of liquor in one sitting. For instance, don't have a beer, then switch to Smirnoff Vodka, before going on to a Smirnoff ice. This is a recipe for disaster.

You'll get drunk, faster and the situation might spiral out of control. You'll get sick. So, don't ever alternate drinks. If you wish to have more than one different drink, ensure you eat before you change.

Tip 5. Oily food - less alcohol absorption

An oily oesophagus/stomach absorbs less alcohol. This is a tip for the hardcore drunks whose love for liquor has surpassed all else.

Tip 6. When dizzy, take a break

When you begin to feel that buzz and your head starts to spin, just step out, take a breather, walk out into the fresh air, splash a little water on your face, stay a while in a quieter place. and just regain your composure. There's no harm in missing a few minutes from the party in order to sober up.

Tip 7. When feeling sick, go throw up

If you didn't follow the aforementioned tips, then you are on the road to disaster, and so you may eventually feel really sick. The room might start spinning and you feel like throwing up. Instead of sitting down with that feeling, head to a bathroom and let it happen. The sooner you've hurled, the quicker you'll begin to feel better.

After rejecting the excess alcohol in your body, you'll feel much better.