‘Tis the season for holiday festivities — and for calling off work when drinking gets a bit out of hand. A new survey from Caron Treatment Centers, a facility for drug and alcohol addiction, found that 64 percent of Americans have called in sick because of a hangover after a holiday party, or know someone who has.
The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Caron, asked more than 2,000 adults aged 21 and over about the behavior they exhibited and observed after attending a holiday party. In addition to 64 percent calling off work, 61 percent of those surveyed also said they had come into work late or left work early the next day, or knew someone who had. While toughing out a hangover at work, 46 percent had trouble completing their day-to-day tasks.
Productivity is a concern, as your boss may take notice if you’re consistently falling behind. “The biggest takeaway is that, especially when we’re facing a fiscal cliff and dealing with a dangerous economic atmosphere, people shouldn’t take this sort of risk with their livelihoods,” says clinical psychologist Harris Stratyner, Ph.D., Vice President of New York Clinical Regional Services at Caron Treatment Centers.
The good news is that it’s possible to enjoy a drink (or two) without putting your career (or your next-day happiness) at risk. Just make sure to follow these tips to minimize any damage:
Don’t Make It a Competition
Don’t try to keep up with the guys. Female body composition has a higher fat-to-water ratio than men, so women get inebriated quicker.
Set Limits Beforehand
Before you go out, tell yourself that you’re stopping at two. This way you’ve made a decision while sober that you’re more likely to stick to later, when your judgment is a bit more impaired. A suggestion: “A good rule of thumb is to never have more than two drinks,” Stratyner says. And that means two of any kind of alcohol, whether it’s a glass of wine or a shot of vodka.
Drink Clear
The kind of alcohol you drink matters. Stick to clear liquids, rather than dark ones. That’s because clear liquors, like rum, vodka and gin, have fewer congeners, a fermentation byproduct. Congener-rich drinks like brandy, cognac, whiskey, and tequila are more likely to make you feel ill the day after. Also, avoid sugary drinks and carbonated beverages, like fruity cocktails or champagne, which are absorbed in the bloodstream faster and will get you intoxicated in a hurry.
Keep Eating
The adage still holds true: never eat on an empty stomach. Dr. Stratyner always recommends, “eating both before you drink and while you’re drinking” to avoid repercussions. Your best bet? Nosh on some asparagus before the party, or order some at dinner to have with your wine. Research from Korea found that extracts taken from asparagus leaves and shoots increased the amount of an enzyme used to break down alcohol.
Alternate Sips
Instead of drinking exclusively alcohol at parties, alternate virgin beverages to slow yourself down. Water is best for cleansing your body, so aim to consume at least 8 ounces of water for every alcoholic drink. Also, switching back and forth between alcohol and water slows down your rate of consumption, which helps in keeping you from getting too drunk, too fast.
Keep Chugging in the Morning
If you go too far, the next-morning miracle cure is the same as the night-of preventative measure. Many of the major symptoms of hangover have to do with being totally dehydrated. And the best way to fix that? “One word: water,” says Stratyner. “Drink clear water, as much as you possibly can. It will help flush the alcohol out of the system.”
Additional reporting from Leah Zerbe, Rodale.com
More from WH:
The Best Yoga Post for Hangovers
The Dangers of Drinking Too Much
When Addiction Becomes a Serious Illness
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