Have an alcohol safe party

Most adult parties are accompanied by alcohol. Unfortunately not everyone tolerates alcohol equally well and not everyone stops drinking alcohol before one can call them drunk. Having excessive drinkers at a party can be a challenge. Perhaps you should avoid asking such guests or, talk to them before the party and request that they limit their drinking.

As a host, it is your responsibility to see that your guests return home safely. We know that the best way to guarantee that guests don't get intoxicated is to have an alcohol free party. This, however, is unrealistic. Therefore, it is prudent to take a few precautions to minimize the risk of alcohol abuse.

A few things you can do to make your party more alcohol safe

1. Speak to guests that tend to drink excessively. Have them arrange alternate modes of transportation
2. Determine who are the designated drivers before the party starts
3. Appoint a "bartender" to mix drinks who can keep track of the amount of alcohol each guest consumes and limit their intake
4. If a driver has had too much to drink, arrange for an alternate way home or to stay over
5. Few ideas for planning the food and drinks:
   • Make sure that you have lots of food on hand so that your guests do not drink on empty stomachs
   • Have lots of non-alcoholic drinks available
   • If you serve an alcoholic punch, use a fruit juice base, which slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream
   • Avoid serving salty snacks. Guests tend to drink more when lots of salty snacks are consumed
   • Playing party games help with limiting the amount of alcohol consumed
   • Close the bar 90 minutes before the party ends and serve coffee and dessert

Dealing with an intoxicated guest

1. Ask for their keys and offer to call a cab/taxi
2. A stubborn guest might give you a hard time to accept help
   • Your goal should be to get the car keys
   • Try a diversion; offer a snack or coffee. The food may sober your friend up, or at least provide you more time to convince him not to drive home
   • Avoid getting into a debate or argument; keep things light and humorous