Enjoy your drinks responsibly

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Stephen Ceo
  • 374th Security Forces Squadron
Yokota Air Base, Japan --  Work hard, play hard. How many of us have heard that expression before? It would be fair to assume that most of us work extremely hard, harder than most people work that aren't in the military or associated with the military. From long hours to rotating shift, ensuring we meet established standards and supporting the Air Force's mission all require attention to detail and tiring labor. Who wouldn't want to cut loose, let their hair down and unwind at the end of the day with an adult beverage or two?

When it comes to alcohol, we need to act responsibly by making a plan and sticking to it.  What good is having a plan if you don't put it into action? By doing a little preplanning before your night begins you will ensure you never find yourself in a position where you are compromising your morals, military standards and the law. Figure out your travel plans to and from your destination. You can always keep money for a cab in one of your rarely used pockets to ensure you don't accidentally spend it. Fill your friends in on your plan, that way, if you start to lose track of your plan there's someone who can get you push you in the right direction. Calling 225-Ride is also an excellent choice.

Pace yourself and actually enjoy your drinks; you're not in a race. There is no need to rush through your night. After all, the more aware you are, the better you are going to be able to remember that night out you had. Try drinking water in between each alcoholic beverage, this will allow you to still be drinking but ensures you stay hydrated (less chance for that dreaded hangover) and prevent you from having too much alcohol too quickly. When in doubt, 0-0-1-3 (zero underage drinking, zero alcohol related incidents, one drink per hour, three drinks per night) will not fail you. 

If you stick to only having one alcoholic drink every hour and no more than three drinks a night, you shouldn't find yourself in a compromising position. Equally important to remember is that portion control doesn't just apply to your meals. One and a half ounces of hard alcohol (80 proof) is equal to five ounces of wine (12 percent) as well as 12 ounces of beer (5 percent). So if you're ordering a mixed drink with more than one type of alcohol in it, remember all that alcohol adds up.

Finally, know your limits. Everyone's body processes alcohol differently. While your buddy might be pounding away shots and seems fine, a wine cooler might get you to the point where you can't even stand up straight. Don't try to keep up with others. If the people you are going out with can't respect that you want to enjoy drinking responsibly, then maybe it's time to move on. 

In the end we are all responsible for the decisions we make, so let's make sure we act responsibly when it comes to alcohol.