Alternative resources to Drinking and Driving
Alternative Resources to Drinking and Driving:
1. As the saying goes: We do not plan to fail, we fail to plan. The typical user of alcohol does not plan to get a DUI/DWI or some other form of alcohol related incident. The person becomes a statistic due to lack of positive, effective planning.
2. The simplest, and most guaranteed, alternative to drinking and driving is to not drink at all – abstinence. However, if you plan on “going to the club” or “going out with the guys” or “going out to have a good time and wind down,” then establish a designated driver before you leave to hit the town.
For clarification sake, a designated driver does not mean who will be the least drunk when it is time to go home. Many establishments offer free sodas, tea, coffee, or water to the designated driver of a group. If you do not want to involve someone outside of the group though, such as CCF, taxi’s, etc., then establish your own designated driver and stick to it.
3. Use AADD. Call 867-0220 The program is activated on Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. through 5 a.m. These hours are extended for holidays, and they can also be activated for organized functions during the duty week with proper notification.
4. Many CCF’s have a similar policy of a “No Questions Asked!” ride home. Check with your respective CCF to see if he/she carries this tradition on.
5. While these are only a few of the alternative resources to drinking and driving available to military members, there are numerous others that can also be considered. With this many options open there truly is no valid reason anyone should receive a DUI/DWI on or off base.
One final note regarding Responsible Drinking:
The National Institute of Health released the following definition of Responsible Drinking:
No more than two drinks per day for the average male and no more than one drink per day for the average women, to include at least one day of abstinence during the week. “A drink” is defined as one of the following three: a 1½oz of 80 proof liquor, a 12oz beer, or a 5 oz glass of table wine.
Research behind this definition shows that persons who consume alcohol within the parameters of this definition do not develop problems with alcohol, and experience little to no social related consequences from alcohol use. Essentially, follow this definition and minimize your own personal use of alcohol.
