'Rethink the drink' this holiday season

Four state agencies are teaming up this holiday season to support the “Rethink the Drink” winter advertising campaign that encourages people in Oregon to celebrate safely by understanding the health and social harms of excessive alcohol use. 

Officials at the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC), Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) hope the tools provided by the campaign help people reduce the pressure to drink alcohol during family gatherings or holiday parties. 

“In these environments, it’s easy to drink more than you normally might,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at OHA. “We can all support one another to drink less, and that includes having healthy and honest conversations about our alcohol use.”  

Each year, more than 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, violence, and vehicle crashes. Excessive alcohol use is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon.  

“The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to show support for loved ones who are working to avoid excessive alcohol use,” said ADPC Director Annaliese Dolph. “It is a great time to encourage healthy choices. The journey to wellness requires rethinking our relationships with different substances, and it requires the love and support of our communities.” 

Holiday events and binge drinking sometimes go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and other dangerous behavior. Binge drinking impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions.  

“Preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility, and each of us can do our part to make sure our celebrations don’t put others at risk,” said Ryan Stone, Impaired Driving Program manager for ODOT’s Transportation Safety Office. “By planning ahead — whether that’s designating a sober driver, arranging a rideshare, using public transportation, or supporting friends who choose to drink to get home safely—we can help keep our roads safe. Let’s make this season one of joy and safety for all.” 

“Not everyone drinks alcohol and not all drinkers want to drink only alcohol, so it’s good to have alternatives,” said Craig Prins, OLCC’s executive director. “If you’re hosting an event this holiday season, offer non-alcoholic beverage options and be sure to have food available for guests.”

In addition to offering non-alcoholic options during holiday events and encouraging people to arrange for a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi, there are other ways people can keep themselves and others from drinking too much this holiday season:  

• Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.

• Drink plenty of water and eat food while drinking alcohol.

• Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with ice or a low-sugar mixer.

•If you’re planning to drink, set a limit for that event.

• Count drinks when at an event or out with friends. Use an app to track drink consumption.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online.