Alcohol and St. Patrick’s Day: Celebrating, Not Regretting

St. Patrick’s Day is often thought of as one of the most popular days to consume alcohol in the United States. Whether you don’t drink at all, drink occasionally, or experience some difficulties with alcohol use, this holiday can bring up difficult decisions and social pressures to drink more than you might otherwise want to.

Even though alcohol can temporarily “lower your inhibitions” to make things seem fun and freeing, alcohol is a depressant. After this emotional loosening, alcohol can make you feel restless or anxious and amplify your emotions. Alcohol can also mess with your sleep and digestion, particularly if overly consumed.

You may experience different symptoms when drinking alcohol, but no matter your relationship with alcohol and its effects, consider the following options to intentionally enter into this St. Patrick’s Day:

• Set an intentional limit for yourself before starting to drink. Think of how you’ll keep track of your drinks, and what you’ll do when you’ve hit your limit. Maybe you’ll start drinking pop instead, close your tab, tell a friend, or leave the party.

• Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. For every drink you finish, have a water or a pop. This can help pace yourself throughout the event.

• Consider your intentions on why you’re drinking, and continuously check in with each drink on if you’re in alignment with your intentions. 

• Get to the event late or leave early. Reducing the amount of time that you’re present at the event can reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Maybe you make plans that don’t involve alcohol with a friend for the evening.

• Host a non-alcoholic event yourself. Gather friends and family in a different festive activity that doesn’t involve alcohol use. 

• Find a support person. Whether it be a friend or family member, any considerations of managing your alcohol use can be easier with someone else to check in with you. Whether this person helps keep track of your drinks, drives you home, or spends the day with you doing something else, consider the person that you’re able to rely on for support through your decisions.

If you find yourself having difficulty remaining in alignment with your original intentions for the holiday, you might consider checking in with yourself on what tools work and don’t work well for you. Maybe you need more structure or less structure through events like this, or alternative options that you’re more likely to engage with. In all instances, be compassionate with yourself as you explore your intentions and how to fulfill them through your celebrations.