by Helium01

Created on: August 04, 2011

Drinking has truly become America's favorite pastime. Whether you are celebrating a promotion, you had a bad week, or you are on your way into unknown territory (such as a house party), there is always a reason to indulge.

In addition to the serious dangers of drinking, such as impaired driving, alcoholism, and liver disease, there are many short-term negative effects that can make drinking unpleasant. The hangover is one undesirable side effect of indulging too much. Below are tips on how to avoid a hangover if you do choose to drink.

The most obvious way to avoid a hangover is to limit your alcohol. Have no more than one drink an hour. Pace yourself. Studies have shown that the most pleasant alcohol-related experience occurs after the first drink kicks in. The more you drink from that point on, the further away you get from that "sweet spot".

Your diet plays an important role as well. Eat a large meal before drinking to reduce negative effects. Anyone who has headed straight to the bars without eating first can attest to the fact that drinking on an empty stomach can be deadly. Another good idea is to drink a glass of milk before drinking alcohol. As with food, this can slow the absorption of alcohol on a heavy night.

Stick to one or two types of alcohol per night. Too much variety will do more damage than good. When you add too many different factors (e.g., flavorings, additives, colorings) you are just adding fuel to the fire. Also, pay attention to the colorings. They can indicate just how bad you will feel the next day. Dark colored drinks such as whiskey and rum will definitely be worse in the morning.

When you consider that hangovers have a great deal to do with dehydration, it is obvious that  drinking a lot of water prior to, during, and after consumption of alcohol is key. This is partly important due to the diuretic effects of alcohol. It is important to keep fluids flowing in as well as out when you are drinking.

Above all else, it is important to remember that the best way to deal with hangovers is to prevent them rather than try to cure them. Although there are countless over-the-counter remedies for hangovers, it is much easier to avoid them in the first place. The next time that you head out for a night on the town, keep in mind how you can best avoid a hangover. It will make your experience the day after much more pleasant.

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