Red Rock urges caution regarding drinking alcohol and the holidays

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Christmas is here and it is important to remember that alcohol can be a part of the celebration for many Americans and over consumption of alcohol combined with driving can be disastrous.

During this time of the year, people tend to drink more alcohol; there are increases of drivers on the road, drivers late at night and in bad weather, according to a press release from Red Rock Behavioral Health Services. In 2019, there were 688 alcohol related car crashes in Oklahoma and unfortunately, 74 fatalities due to these crashes. There are many prevention tips designed to keep you and your loved ones safe and here are ways you can take part:

• Abstain. You do not have to have alcohol to be the life of the party.

• Pace yourself. Avoid binge-drinking. Spread out the consumption of your drinks, consider one drink an hour.

• Avoid drinks with unknown alcohol content or mixing alcohol with energy drinks. Caffeine in energy drinks or sodas can mask the effects of alcohol, causing people to drink more alcohol that than intended/are aware.

• Substitute alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks. Consider drinking water between each alcoholic beverage to slow your pace and dilute the alcohol in your bloodstream.

• Secure a designated driver. Keep in mind that a designated driver stays 100 percent sober --- not the person who drank the least.

• Lastly, do not break Oklahoma’s Social Host Law by providing a location for minors to drink alcohol.

If you have questions, you can call 405-401-2390.