Manage your alcohol and have a safer summer

Getting together with friends and family this summer may look a little different. Instead of large barbecues, concerts, festivals or parties, it’s more likely small groups gathering while practicing social distancing.

If alcohol may play a part in your plans, remember that it can alter your thoughts, judgment, decision-making and behavior. It’s even more important to keep this in mind as you try to navigate summer activities while also practicing social distancing and wearing masks.

“With COVID and the Stay Safe at Home order, many people found that their alcohol use changed,” said Bethany Lemm, a health educator for the MHealthy Alcohol Management Program (AMP). “Some drank less alcohol due to not going out with friends, some drank more due to loneliness, boredom and anxiety. If you’re drinking, make sure to check in with yourself regularly to keep your alcohol consumption in a safer, lower-risk range.”

The MHealthy AMP has compiled resources to help you practice safer drinking habits, and even discover some fun and delicious alternatives to alcohol:

• Printable tracking diary: Tracking when, why, and with whom drinking occurs gives a closer look at drinking patterns and habits.

• “Mocktail” recipes: Consider alternating one alcoholic drink with water, juice or one of these non-alcoholic, low-calorie beverages.

• Tips on drinking at a safer, lower risk range.

• Tips to help make abstaining from alcohol easier.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. For men and women over the age of 65, the recommendation is no more than one alcoholic drink per day. 

In the U.S., a “standard” drink is any drink that contains about 14 grams of “pure” alcohol. That’s equivalent to approximately 12 ounces of regular beer, a five-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. 

If you would like to talk one-on-one with someone about your alcohol consumption, the MHealthy Alcohol Management Program is available. It offers free brief, confidential health education to U-M faculty, staff and retirees with mild to moderate alcohol problems. This summer, fees have also been waived for community members and U-M patients. Participate in-person or by phone. Contact 734-998-2017 or visit the AMP website. 

View all resources on the Slow Down This Summer – Safer, Healthier Alcohol Consumption webpage on MHealthy’s site.