It is worth knowing that hangovers can be avoided. With a little knowledge and care, you can still get drunk to the point of “ad delo yada” without suffering from it afterwards.
The following directions can prevent or reduce the unpleasant side effects of drinking. They are based on reliable medical sources, and have been proven in practice.
If you don’t feel well, do not drink. Alcohol interferes with the immune system, and drinking can inhibit the body from healing itself properly.
Before drinking:
1. Eat a lot. Fatty foods (or foods mixed with olive oil), fried foods and starchy foods (made of flour, potatoes, rice, etc.) are especially good.
2. Eat burnt toast. The carbon in it aids greatly in the digestion of alcohol.
3. Drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages, especially those containing vitamins. Taking a multi-vitamin is also a good idea.
Though eating may slow the effect of the alcohol, it will not prevent intoxication. Drinking and eating will prevent dehydration, and help the body absorb the alcohol properly, preventing feelings of nausea.
While drinking:
1. Cheap alcoholic drinks are harder on the body, so don’t drink junk. Light-colored drinks and those with no sugar added are also better for you.
2. Stick to one type of drink. Only drink beverages derived from the same source of alcohol (e.g. grape, grain or other fruits). Definitely do not drink wine after beer.
3. Don’t drink too much too fast. You should wait at least half an hour between drinks. (One drink = one glass of wine or one shot of whisky).
Waiting will not prevent your intoxication.
4. Accompany your alcoholic drinking with more food and non-alcoholic beverages (burnt toast is particularly helpful). It is best to drink at least one light beverage with every alcoholic drink you have.
5. Don’t drink carbonated beverages. They complicate the absorption of the alcohol.
6. It is advisable to avoid caffeinated beverages like cola, coffee, or tea.
If you start feeling nauseous, stop drinking alcohol, drink lots of water, and eat starchy foods. The food will absorb the toxins of the alcohol-not eating is a big mistake.
After drinking:
It is important to help the body continue to digest the alcohol within it, and to replenish its store of vitamins. Therefore you should continue drinking water and other beverages containing salt, sugar, and vitamins (especially vitamin C and potassium). You may also want to take a multi-vitamin.
If you don’t feel well the next morning, have eggs (cooked are better than fried) with burnt toast and a banana. These foods contain the nutrition that the body needs to rehabilitate itself. You can also aid the process by drinking water and resting up well.
A freilichen Purim.
{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
Finally a realistic article regarding drinking on Purim. Telling everyone not to drink, is going to be ignored for various reasons. It is important for all fathers, Rabbeim, or anyone of influence, to teach bochurim how to drink responsibly, as otherwise, being teenagers, they will learn to drink otherwise – akin to learning how to drive either through drivers ed, or through trail and error. It is a dangerous thing to do, but it is going to be done anyway – learn how to do it properly.
One big tip you left out, Don’t drink and drive. That tip is more important than eating fatty foods
Not so Poshut the Inyan of getting drunk on Purim – big discussion in Rishonim; see Mateh Moshe (Siman ?????)(http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=40439&st=&pgnum=323)
Don’t take this personally but Shame on you! This is pretty two-faced: in one post you write “Important Tips for Those Who Drink on Purim” and in the very next post you write “There have been many stories of the tragic results of Purim drinking, and it is important to reiterate that Purim is a time for fun and celebration, not for tragic consequences…”
Guess what: YOU and posts like these are one of the reason why kids drink. They see adults like you – along with their Rebbaim – getting drunk without the nasty side effects (thanks to your “advice” and of course they are going to try it on their own.
Maybe write a post about how drinking leads to alcoholism and can wreck lives and marriages. Maybe adults will then stop and can help stop their kids.
In the meantime, I hope they don’t get killed. Sleep well matzav.com
Moderate drinking is fine for most people, in fact it probably is beneficial to ones health. But the only way that people who can’t control their drinking can safely drink is not to drink at all!
What on earth is this about “shame on you”???
R u not embarrassed?? The Torah writes about the MITZVA of one getting drunk on Purim, not some lenient whos looking for an excuse! Wreck marriages?? U sitting and wasting ur time on line can wreck a marriage a lot faster than drinking on Purim-dope!!!!
To Yakov,
Hello, Like it or not, there IS A CHIYUV to drink on Purim! Obviously, as with all things, there will be those who abuse it and/or overdo it. The guidance provided is needed for that very reason. I personally followed it and found it extremely helpful. I even forwarded it to a young adult whom I knew was going to drink anyway, and who did it last year irresponsibly – AND HAD SUFFERED ADVERSE EFFECTS. He too followed these guidelines and had a great experience this Purim.
Thank you, MATZAV for posting them!!