18/12/25 - Tips for healthier holiday celebrations

With the holidays just around the corner, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation is sharing some simple tips for healthier celebrations.

“We want everyone to have a good time over the Christmas and New Year holiday period,” said the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Erin Lalor AM.

“For some, the festive season and drinking go hand in hand, and people may drink at risky levels. We know that alcohol and other drug-related ambulance call outs usually peak at this time of year, so we’re urging people to look after themselves and their loved ones,” Dr Erin Lalor AM explained.

If you are planning on drinking, there are some simple ways to help reduce alcohol-related harms such as accidents, injuries and that next day hangover, including:

Setting a drinking limit before you start drinking: Don’t feel pressured to drink heavily just because someone else is covering the tab, offering you a drink or ordering a round.
Avoid pre-drinking: Having drinks before heading out can increase your risk of accidents, injuries, and hospital admissions.
Pace yourself and hydrate: Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks between beer, wine or spirits.
Make sure to eat: Alcohol takes longer to be absorbed by your body when there’s food in your stomach.
Don't get behind the wheel: If you are drinking, the safest option is not to drive. Pre-organise how you are going to get home, like assigning a designated driver or pre-booking a taxi. Sobering up takes time, so it may be unsafe to drive the next day.

For people planning on taking illicit drugs, use of any drug can have risks. There are strategies to help reduce harms, such as overdose. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation advises:

Do your research: Find out as much information about the drug before taking it, including checking out the latest drug alerts. These alerts will let you know about emerging or circulating drugs of concern.
Start low, go slow: If you still decide to take it, have a small amount first and wait a couple of hours to see if you experience any adverse side effects.
Avoid mixing with other drugs: Mixing can have unpredictable effects and increases the risk of harm. Mixing includes using more than one drug (including alcohol and medications) at the same time, or one after another. Also consider what drugs you’ve taken in the last 24 hours.
Avoid getting behind the wheel: Even in low doses, drugs can significantly reduce your driving skills. Each drug takes a different amount of time to leave your body.
Don’t use drugs alone: Stick with people you trust who can help you if things go wrong.
Don’t hesitate to call 000 in an emergency: This could be the difference between life and death. Emergency services are there to help and can provide more instructions.

Acknowledging that this time of year can be really tough for some people, Dr Lalor emphasised the importance of prioritising activities that boost health and wellbeing, like exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep.

“People may experience a mix of emotions during the holiday period. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, it's best to avoid or reduce the amount of alcohol or drugs you consume, as they can intensify those feelings,” Dr Lalor explained.

“If you’re not feeling yourself, or want to talk to someone, there’s lots of 24-hour support available,” Dr Lalor added.

Immediate support is available during the Christmas/New Year period from the National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. Twenty-four -hour support is also available from Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), and 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you are worried about your own, or a friend or relative’s alcohol or other drug use, visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Path2Help tool. This free online tool connects people with local services in their area, that can help them have that initial conversation that can lead to support.

ENDS

For media enquiries please call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s media team on 0430 948 380 or email [email protected]