Having a Responsible 21st Birthday Party

Now that you've made it to 21, you can hardly wait to get your first (legal) alcoholic drink. You think you're going to have the party of the century with you hopping from bar to bar doing 21 shots of tequila and having some margaritas and beers on top of that. What better time for you and your friends to take drunken party shots for your memories?

Before you go running out planning a wild night, stop and think for a second. Although you're officially allowed to drink, you still have to be careful. You could be breaking laws and making yourself sick on one of the best nights of your life. Having turned 21 just last year and still being able to remember it, I can give you some tips on what to do when you become legal.

Plan your party for a night when most of your attendees do not have prior, mandatory commitments the next day. A lot of newly legal people go to a lot of drinking establishments in one night and a party could go into the wee hours of the morning. If you have your party on a weekday while in school, for example, it's best not to be heading to the bars when a couple people have big tests the next day. In most cases, not everyone you want there can attend, but picking a date that is convenient for most is better than everyone telling you they can't make it because they have plans to study or have to work early the next morning.

Under any circumstances do not drink on an empty stomach. The result will be fatigue or feeling sick to your stomach. If you're determined to start as soon as the server takes your order, have a sandwich or another small snack before you leave to go out.

It will take time to adjust to drinking alcohol. My first drink was a Long Island Iced Tea and on first sip, I did not like how strong it was. However, drinking it got easier. Once an alcoholic beverage gets watered down (towards the bottom of the glass with ice melting), it is easier to drink, yet still tasty. Let your taste buds adjust and do not let anyone pressure you into drinking something you think may be too strong.

Don't drink too much too fast. Let's say you are doing what I did: going to dinner at a restaurant then going to a bar later. While you're at the restaurant, don't have anymore than two or three drinks so the most you get is a slight buzz. Then, don't go to the bar for about three or four hours. While you're there, keep your alcohol intake down again. It takes alcohol about an hour to process through your system, so if you drink too much, you will only feel worse later.

Consume non alcoholic drinks at points throughout your celebration. It is best to alternate between one beverage and a Coke or water. It allows you to stay hydrated and keeps you from getting headaches or an upset stomach. You may think you're being "boring", but in all honesty, this is just another way to watch out for yourself.

Perhaps most importantly, have a designated driver. Getting a DUI could mean serious punishment with the law, including jail time or having your license suspended. You also risk hurting yourself or other people who are driving responsibly. If you are too drunk to drive home, a friend should be able to notice that and take your keys away. Better yet, plan who will drive before the party begins. Make sure you choose someone who you know won't be out of control once it's time to head home.

Your 21^st birthday is a big milestone, but that doesn't give you the right to have a complete free for all attitude. You still need to use discretion in your behavior and keep yourself and others safe. Have fun on this night, but not too much of it.