It’s not known as the party season for nothing: alcohol consumption in Britain increases by around 40 per cent in December. Just make sure booze boosts – rather than kills – the festive spirit, says Abi Jackson

WHETHER it’s sweet, steaming mulled wine, a soothing eggnog or a few cheeky glasses of sherry in time for the Queen’s Speech, booze is as big a part of Christmas as mistletoe and mince pies. And why not?

There’s nothing wrong with indulging in your favourite festive tipple. A nice glass of red can complete a meal, and enjoying a couple of drinks with family and friends can be one of the joys of the season.

But, as the charity Drinkaware – which promotes responsible drinking – points out, alcohol can also lead to serious consequences, including health damage and accidents.

You don’t need to abstain from drinking altogether.

Simply spare some time to think about how you can drink more sensibly to ensure your Christmas is merry in all the right ways.

Accidents happen

Though many of us associate alcohol with having fun, it’s actually one of the leading causes of accidents. While spilling wine down your top or stumbling over a chair may be minor, and sometimes even amusing, drinking can lead to serious accidents, too.

Alcohol slows down the brain’s responses, making us clumsier than usual, with slower reaction speed and impaired judgment. It can also make us more likely to take risks – not a great combination.

According to Drinkaware, alcohol is the single biggest cause of accidents in the home. Of the 4,000 fatal domestic accidents in the UK every year, 400 are alcohol-related.

Plus, about one in three fires are caused by people under the influence of alcohol, and two-thirds who end up admitted to hospital, or die, from burns have been drinking.

Top tipple tips

  • If you’re responsible for cooking the festive feast, laying the table with candles or keeping the fire topped up with logs, take it easy on the booze and ask tipsy family members to keep out of the way until the work’s done and accident hazards cleared away. Scalds can happen in a flash and a knocked candle could lead to a devastating blaze in moments.
  • On nights out and at parties, pace yourself by alternating alcohol with soft drinks or water so that you don’t get as drunk, and only allow your glass to be topped up once it’s empty so you can keep track of how much you’ve had. Keep an eye on your friends if they’re behaving recklessly – dancing on the bar might raise a few laughs but a fall could be nasty.

Hangover hell

Hangovers may be temporary, but they can still make you feel awful. At worse, you’ll be stuck in bed all day, unable to stand up without vomiting, your head on fast-spin, or you’ll have a thumping headache, tired, bleary eyes and a sore throat. Hangovers are likely to affect your mood too and can leave you feeling gloomy, depressed and anxious. They don’t always pass after 24 hours – you could feel rundown for days, or end up more prone to infections like colds, as getting drunk regularly could give your immune system a battering.

Top tipple tips

  • Prevention’s better than cure – so don’t knock ’em back too quickly, alternate booze with soft drinks, and slow down once you’ve hit the tipsy mark.
  • Many hangover symptoms are linked to dehydration. ‘‘Stay well hydrated during the day to prepare for your night out,’’ advises Dr Emma Derbyshire, nutritionist and consultant to the Natural Hydration Council (naturalhydrationcouncil.org.uk). ‘‘Quench thirst with water or juice before you have an alcoholic drink and, at the end of the evening, keep water by your bed and drink whenever you feel thirsty.’’
  • Avoid that hair of the dog. Instead, opt for a soluble painkiller to ease headaches and an antacid to settle your stomach.
  • Fresh air and exercise helps. ‘‘Exercise has been linked to the release of endorphins – your “feelgood” hormones that will help get you back to yourself again,’’ says Justin Way, personal trainer at Pure Gym.

Binge drink disaster

According to Chris Day, professor of liver medicine at Newcastle University, consuming more than eight units a day if you’re a man and more than five units a day if you’re a woman, for two or three weeks, is enough to cause “fatty liver”, which happens because alcohol stops the liver from sending fat around the body to be stored, instead causing it to clog up. In the short run, this can be reversed, but carry on boozing to excess and it’ll get worse.

Binge drinking can also lead to heart problems, including a rapid heartbeat and, in some cases, increased risk of heart attack. There’s also the risk of suffering alcohol poisoning or choking on your own vomit after a very heavy booze binge.

Top tipple tips

  • If you’re concerned about binge drinking, make a plan of action at the start of the night – such as setting a sensible drinks limit and asking your friends to support you in sticking to it.
  • Abdominal discomforts, feeling sick and loss of appetite can sometimes be signs of “fatty liver”. See your doctor if you are concerned.
  • If you or someone else suddenly becomes severely ill during or after a night out, and you’re concerned, seek medical help or even call for an ambulance.

For more information and advice about responsible drinking visit drinkaware.co.uk