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Edition 16 - December 2006

CRACKING THE CHRISTMAS CODE

No, it’s not the Da Vinci Code but once you get into a pattern every year it’s pretty hard to break. If you think about it you may realise that the festive mix usually goes something like….beer, beer, beer, beer, scotch, beer, wine, wine, wine, beer, beer, port and then sleep, sleep, sleep and maybe followed by hangover.


Enigma – Yes, I’ll have one of those

One way to stay the distance and make Christmas day more enjoyable is to change that mix and try something different. Try JBW BWBJ…….no, it’s not some fancy Bourbon and it’s no where near so hard to work out as the Enigma Code. It’s…..juice, beer, water, beer, water, beer, juice. Try having a ‘spacer’. In other words have a water or a juice after every alcoholic drink. You may find that you can last the distance and Christmas may be a lot more enjoyable. Not only that but if the day is hot you will be re-hydrated and not get so sozzled so quickly.


Declare Peace

Another way to break the pattern is to try an ‘alcohol-free’ hour. Give yourself a break, even if it’s just for an hour. You’ll be surprised how easy this is and how well the day will go and how enjoyable it can be. You can even make a declaration and say, “this is my alcohol-free hour, would anyone like to join me”. Here are some other code breakers to help you make a better festive mix:

• Keeping track of how much you drink is a good start – make a Christmas plan.
• Count your standard drinks and maybe set yourself a limit.
• Avoid the Christmas top ups and losing track of how many you’ve had.
• Remember that some drinks are way more than one standard drink and the ones you pour yourself usually have a lot of Christmas spirit.
• “Don’t drink on an empty stomach”, is like saying “Always look both ways before crossing the road”; we know it makes sense but we don’t always do it.
• Food slows down the absorption rate of alcohol. The slower the absorption rate then the less the impact of alcohol and the better it is for your body.
• Drink water, soft drink or juice between alcoholic drinks, or even every few drinks, to slow yourself down.
• Light beer or other low alcohol drinks are a good alternative.
• There is no cure for a hangover and how bad you feel will depend on your age and fitness, how often you usually drink and, most of all simply on the quantity you drank this time.
• To lessen the symptoms: drink plenty of water; take two paracetamol tablets; take some B vitamins or have a Berocca; and eat a substantial non-fatty meal.
• It pays to drink plenty of water before you go to bed to avoid the dehydration effect that contributes to a hangover.

Need Help?

For more information or to order materials call 1800 011 046, check out the web site www.therightmix.gov.au, e-mail alcoholproject@dva.gov.au or write to:

Alcohol Management Project
DVA
PO Box 21
Woden ACT 2606

* See Edition 9 - August 2004 of the Right Mix archived articles (And The Boys Light Up) to find out how Lofty modified his drinking towards light beer, the benefits of this change and new developments in the manufacturing of light beer to improve its taste.


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Edition 15 - July 2006
Edition 14 - February 2006
Edition 13 - December 2005
Edition 12 - July 2005
Edition 11 - March 2005
Edition 10 - December 2004
Edition 9 - August 2004
Edition 8 - June 2004
Edition 7 - April 2004
Edition 6 - February 2004
Edition 5 - December 2003
Edition 4 - October 2003
Edition 3 - August 2003
Edition 2 - June 2003
Edition 1 - May 2003

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