It has been revealed that while we as a nation are drinking considerably less than we did ten years ago, when we do drink we drink more.
Not only do we consume more alcohol but we do so at a faster rate which can lead a nasty hangover and a day wasted in bed.
Drinkaware.ie are hoping to change all of this with their ReclaimYourWeekend.ie website and app which ties in with their ‘Pacing’ campaign launched earlier this year.
Chief Executive of drinkaware.ie Fionnuala Sheehan said ReclaimYourWeekend.ie focuses not so much on limiting the amount of alcohol consumed but the pattern of drinking in order to make the most of your weekend and protect your health.
Over half of people in Ireland who drink have a dangerous pattern of drinking and despite the fact that we don’t drink as much as we did ten years ago, we still drink 20% more than other Europeans according to Alcohol Action Ireland.
Ms Sheehan says the website and app aim ‘To encourage and motivate people to pace their drinking on a Friday or Saturday night and in return enjoy doing something with friends and family the following day.’
Let’s face it, almost all of us have been in that position where we have had to turn down friends or cancel arrangements with family because we had a sore head or a dodgy tummy.
But the truth is there is really no need to choose between your night out and the next day because it is just a matter of pacing your alcohol consumption.
Ms Sheehan explains ‘The ideal pace to drink at is one standard drink per hour as this reflects the amount of alcohol our bodies can on average process in this period of time.’
Of course people should still stick to the recommended alcohol consumption guidelines. That is four units for men and three units for women a day. Everybody should also have two alcohol-free days a week.
For more advice on how to pace your drinking, check out the ReclaimYourWeekend.ie website or app. You will also find information on fun and free activities that you can do in order to make the most of your hangover-free day.
Why not join us ladies and reclaim back this weekend?
