WASHINGTON — Even those who drink responsibly may push the envelope when it’s party time.
With Super Bowl parties on tap Sunday, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is offering some common sense tips to stay safe.
“Don’t drive while intoxicated, have somebody else drive you,” said Dr. George Koob, Director of the NIAA.
Koob points to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, which indicate that drunken driving deaths spike on Super Bowl Sunday.
There’s no doubt that beer, wine and distilled spirits will flow at Super Bowl parties, so Dr. Koob said it’s incumbent on party hosts to also provide nonalcoholic beverages.
“Pace yourself with nonalcoholic beverages, a glass of water, a sparkling water in between what you’re drinking,” Dr. Koob said. “Eat something. Snacks are very popular at Super Bowl parties and for good reason because that slows the absorption of alcohol.”
How much is too much to drink? It depends on a person’s size.
“A 300 pound former fullback can drink more than a 100 pound ballerina dancer,” Dr. Koob said.
The NIAA said more than three drinks in two hours for the average sized woman and more than four drinks in two hours for the average size man typically raises the blood alcohol concentration to .08, which is the legal limit.
NIAA provides a calculator to measure the alcohol and caloric content of drinks, as well as other practical information about alcohol.
