The holidays are a time of much deserved downtime and celebration for Sailors and their families, but also a time to stay alert, Navy officials said Dec. 27.

"If you are planning to drink during your celebration it is essential to understand how to drink responsibly and stay within your alcohol tolerance level," said Dorice Favorite, director, Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Office (NADAP).

"Maintaining a level of self-control and staying responsible while drinking alcohol is within everyone's ability, whether at a party, at the bar, or anywhere else. Drinking responsibly is about enjoying alcohol rather than letting it take control of you," Favorite added.

There are things you can do to prolong your evening and make the next day enjoyable as well. Stay hydrated. Alcohol dehydrates and draws vitamins and minerals out of your body. Drink water or juice to restore your lost fluids and vitamins. Drinking a 1-to-1 ratio of non-alcoholic to alcoholic beverages is a good practice.

Know your limits, it doesn't take long to learn how little or how much alcohol you can tolerate, and everybody is unique in their ability to tolerate alcohol. Always remember that the guidance you read is just guidance. You don't need to "keep up," or engage in competitions that could ruin the night, a friendships or your life.

Choose a designated driver. If you decide to go out to the bar with your friends, it is imperative that you have someone that will forgo drinking any alcohol that night. This ensures that you all get home safely. If you don't drive or have access to a car, regardless of the circumstance, never get into a car driven by someone else who has had too much to drink.

"Take simple precautions to have a good night out," said Favorite. "Take along a friend with you who is your designated driver and does not drink. If you are unable to regulate how much you drink, choose a friend who has the ability to 'put their foot down' and regulate the amount that you drink. You want to have a good time but not make a fool out of yourself."

For more information, visit the NADAP website at www.nadap.navy.mil.
This article was originally published at: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=71243