Celebrate the season safely; don't drink and drive Published Dec. 18, 2014 By Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Holidays are a time to spend with friends, family and loved ones. It's a special time of year that we spread appreciation and gratefulness. However, it may also come with holiday stress. The planning, preparation and implementation of numerous holiday activities, can be overwhelming and it is important to remember not to put too much stress on one's self. The holiday season is a time when many participate in drinking alcohol with the companionship and merriments of family gatherings, company parties and the like. These activities may increase alcohol use, especially among those who already consume more than average amounts of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption during the holidays could potentially increase depression, drunk driving, accidents and domestic violence. Many of these occur when people are experiencing increased stress and the availability of alcohol is high. Staying safe during the holidays begins with being responsible: Know your limit Don't over drink. Stay within a reasonable limit of drinks. A good way to keep track is to put the beer caps or tabs in a pocket or purse. Another idea is to take a certain amount of cash for the purpose of purchasing drinks. Keep in mind that it takes one-and-a-half to two hours for the liver to metabolize a standard drink. A standard drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer, one shot of liquor or 5 ounces of wine. Remember 0-0-1-3 -- zero DUI, zero underage drinking, one drink per hour, three drinks total. Know your body Everyone's body is different. If you seldom drink, don't attempt to keep up with others who may partake more frequently. Alcohol reduces inhibitions and can give you a false sense of confidence, making it more likely to take risks and make poor decisions. Drunk drivers are a hazard on the road because alcohol affects concentration, the ability to judge speed, reaction time, vision, awareness and muscle control. Know how to refuse peer pressure If you don't feel comfortable drinking alcohol, say no and stand sternly by your decision. You may also want to have at least one other non-drinker in your group to lean on for support. Ensure you have a designated driver It is important that the DD refrains from drinking any alcohol. Always have a wingman and use your co-workers, supervisors, first sergeants, Airmen Against Drunk Driving or "Dial a Ride" program. At the end of the day, they would all rather pick you up from the club or bar at 3 a.m., than bail you out of jail. It is important to remember that the legal drinking age is 21, meaning it is ILLEGAL to drink if you are under the age of 21. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States. It is abused more than tobacco and illicit drugs, and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth. Know the consequences Some consequences to binge drinking are death from alcohol poisoning, unintentional injuries, intentional injuries and heart arrhythmias. Binge drinking is also linked to legal problems such as DUIs, public intoxication, drunk and disorderly, domestic violence and assaults. Of course, prolonged or heavy use can lead to liver damage and heart disease. The Tinker Integrated Delivery System committee and the Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program team asks all members of the Tinker family to take personal responsibility for their safety and that of others during this holiday season. Call the ADAPT clinic at 582-6605 if you or someone you know needs more information or would like to seek treatment for substance abuse. Other resources: A2D2: 820-4444 OKC Yellow Cab: 232-6161