WASHINGTON — Here鈥檚 how New Year鈥檚 Eve goes for most people: You put on a fresh outfit, pay way too much money to get inside a nightclub, then stand around with a drink — or two, or three.
So while there鈥檚 pressure to sip alcohol, what if you don鈥檛 drink?
鈥淧eople can learn to moderate. New Year鈥檚 Eve is probably not the night to do that,鈥� said Gabrielle Glaser, author of 鈥淗er Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink and How They Can Regain Control.鈥�
鈥淢aybe you can surround yourself with friends who are not gonna be tying one on and playing some games. That might be a better idea.鈥�
If you鈥檙e going out, she said, be sure to drink plenty of water. That helps lower your blood-alcohol content and reminds you to slow down on the alcohol.
鈥淧eople really are insisting that you drink along with them,鈥� Glaser said. 鈥淧eople aren鈥檛 really paying attention to how much you鈥檙e drinking. They鈥檙e really paying attention to what they鈥檙e drinking.鈥�
Still, if you drink too much, SoberRide will give you a lift home.
A part of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the Holiday SoberRide program goes through until early New Year鈥檚 Day.
Free cab rides are available for fares up to $30 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Last New Year鈥檚 Eve, SoberRide gave 420 rides in the Washington region.
Go to learn more.
