There’s no doubt that Halloween marks a fun and unique start to the holiday season. Unfortunately, DUIs and alcohol-related incidents are a reality.
Don’t let Halloween turn into a nightmare.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over half (52%) of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night in 2015 involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher. Here are some ways you can stay safe and still enjoy your witches brew:
- Use food as a primer.
A combo of alcohol and those beloved sweet sugary treats can affect your blood sugar levels significantly. Be sure to have a meal containing protein before you drink any alcohol and/or consume sugar. Food helps slow down the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. This will help maintain your glucose levels. Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water. This not only keeps you hydrated but will help you to keep track of how much you’re drinking. - Uber, Uber, everywhere.
There’s just no excuse these days with ride share apps like Uber and Lyft being so prevalent. Download the apps ahead of time and keep your phone fully charged. - Be the designated driver.
Stay completely sober by volunteering to be the designated driver. That way you can focus on enjoying all the Halloween goodies and your friends will appreciate you making the sacrifice. After all, it’s just one night out of the year. When leaving a party or club and going to another location, be on the lookout for other potential drunk drivers and intervene if you feel it is appropriate. You could save a life. - Stay home and throw your own party.
Hosting your own party will allow you to determine the amount and the type of alcohol being served. You could elect for beer and wine instead of hard liquor and be sure to include alcohol-free choices. Adding plenty of food and snacks so that guests are not drinking on an empty stomach is also a great idea. You could even give guests the option to sleep over if they need to. - Celebrate sober & reach out to your friends for help.
If you or a loved one are in recovery, it’s important to have a network of sober people to support you. Halloween can be stressful for people struggling with addiction and having a companion abstain with you will help you to feel free from temptation.
