It is possible to drink at a level that is less risky, while still having fun. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you stay within low risk levels and don’t get to a stage where you are no longer capable of controlling your drinking. These include:

• Know what a standard drink is

• Keep track of how much you drink – daily and weekly

• Set limits for yourself and stick to them

• Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with alcoholic drinks

• Drink slowly

• Try drinks with a lower alcohol content

• Eat before or while you are drinking

• Never drink and drive

• Be a responsible host

• Talk to your kids about alcohol.

References

1.   Mendiola, J., Torres-Cantero, A. M., & Agarwal, A. (2009). Lifestyle factors and male infertility: An evidence-based review. Archives of Medical Science, 5(1A), S3–S12.

2.   Ministry of Health. (2010). Alcohol and pregnancy:A practical guide for health professionals.Wellington: Ministry of Health.

3.   Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., Ghissassi, F. E., Bouvard, V., et al. (2007). Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages. The Lancet Oncology, 8(4), 292–293.

4.   Molina, P. E., Happel, K. I., Zhang, P., Kolls, J. K., & Nelson, S. (2010). Focus on: Alcohol and the immune system. Alcohol Research & Health, 33 (1–2), 97–108

5.   Fingerhood, M. I. (2007). Alcoholism and associated problems. In N. H. Fiebach, L. R. Barker, J. R. Burton & P. D. Zieve (Eds.), Principles of ambulatory medicine (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.