Drinking Dos and Don'ts
The Seven DOs :
1. DO formulate a mission statement. Why is it you want to cut down or stop your drinking? Whether it's to help you lose the freshman 15, to feel healthier in general, or to stop getting into fights with your family, write down your reason(s). It sounds corny, but it'll make you take the challenge more seriously.
2. DO set a drinking limit for yourself. Telling yourself you will not drink during the week, or choosing a limit for how much you will drink will get your mind set not to exceed your maximum. You may choose to cut down or not to drink at all.
3. DO eat before you start consuming alcohol. It is always best to munch on something while you drink. Go for food that takes a long time to digest, such as bread, cheese, potato and pasta, as this will line your stomach and help absorb the alcohol.
4. DO alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic drinks. Soda, juice or water is best. Alternating drinks this way will help keep your BAC down and keep you from becoming dehydrated.
5. DO save the cash you don't waste on getting wasted. Whenever you refuse an alcoholic beverage, put the amount of money you saved in a jar. You can put your dollars toward spring break, dinner with friends, or that new jacket you've been eyeing but thought you couldn't afford.
6. DO take a vacation from drinking. Notice how good you feel, physically and emotionally, during that time. If you start to feel better, you will find it easier to cut down for good. If you don't start to feel better, you may have a problem with alcohol.
7. DO keep a drinking diary. Write down how many drinks you consume over a month-long period and how much it costs you. When you realize how much dough you're sinking on drinking, it might give you the extra incentive to cut down your alcohol intake.
The Seven DON’Ts :
1. DON'T go out with people who make you feel uncomfortable if you're not drinking or persuade you to drink heavy amounts if you are drinking. You can always make alternate plans with friends who are less inclined to include alcohol in their fun.
2. DON'T guzzle. When you are drinking, take hour-long breaks between drinks. Drinking faster than your body can feel the affects can get you into real trouble. Avoid drinking games, you'll end up drinking more alcohol, more quickly than your body can handle.
3. DON'T go to places where you'll be bored if you're not drinking or where you'll feel socially uneasy if you don't have a drink in your hand.
4. DON’T mix your drinks. Rotating from beer to liquor or wine is only adding to the number of toxins that your body has to deal with. Also, mixing drinks with carbonated beverages only increases your absorption rate and dehydrates your body.
5. DON’T arrive early. Try turning up to the bar/party later than usual, to minimize your drinking time, or start with a soft drink or glass of water to quench your thirst and fill your stomach a bit.
6. DON'T keep beer, wine, or hard liquor at home or in your room. First off, it'll be easier to resist if it simply isn't there. Furthermore, if you live in a Creighton residence hall, you don’t have to be caught in the act of drinking to get in trouble—just the presence of alcohol in your room will result in a disciplinary action and confiscation of the alcohol.
7. DON’T set limits for other people. While it is important to know and set your own drinking limits, you should avoid trying to set limits for others. The truth is everyone is affected by alcohol differently and whether people drink or abstain from drinking, you may not know why people make the choices they do. Ultimately we have to respect each other’s freedom of choice. Take care of yourself, set your own limits and choose wisely who you surround yourself with.