Heading to a concert or festival this summer? It’s the season for outdoor fun! While it’s pretty easy to remember to pack sunscreen before an outdoor event, there are also some important safety precautions related to medications and alcohol that your family should be aware of.
When going to concerts or festivals, you may be out in hot weather for long periods of time. That can affect how certain medications work. And for those who are 21 and over, drinking alcohol in the hot sun can bring risks with it.
Before heading out to your next festival or concert, take note of these important drug and alcohol safety tips, and share them with your family members of all ages.
Medication Safety Tips
- Bring any prescription or over-the-counter medications you may need in the medication’s original packaging.
- Some prescription medications may increase your sensitivity to the sun. Talk to your doctor about your risks. Apply sunscreen every two hours.
- Some medications disrupt the body’s heat regulation. Talk with your doctor about your risks. Make sure to take breaks from the heat.
- Some medications can become less effective when exposed to heat. Consider bringing an insulated bag to store medications in when in the heat all day.
Drug and Alcohol Safety Tips
- Drink an ample amount of water to avoid dehydration when consuming alcohol, especially in combination with high temperatures.
- Make sure to eat before drinking alcoholic beverages to decrease the rate of alcohol absorption, lowering the risk of overdrinking.
- Keep watch over your drinks (whether they are alcoholic or not) to prevent spiking. Do not leave your drink unattended, especially in crowded and/or dark spaces such as raves.
- Use the buddy system when drinking alcohol. Make a plan with your group ahead of time on how you will get back to your hotel or home.
- It is always recommended to avoid recreational drugs. Ingredients in these are unpredictable and may cause significant effects including overheating with stimulants (methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy) and decreased consciousness and breathing (opioids, benzodiazepines) especially in combination with alcohol.
Drug and Alcohol Interactions
Certain medications may interact with alcohol. Alcohol can slow or stop the body’s ability to metabolize medications or can increase the effects of certain medications.
Some common medications that have interactions with alcohol include:
- Antidepressants
- Antibiotics
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxants
- Pain medications
- Opioids
- Warfarin
Talk with your doctor about any potential risks of drinking alcohol while taking certain medications.
Planning ahead and taking some simple safety measures can help ensure that your outdoor events stay fun this summer. Have a good time, and stay safe!
See also: 4 Things Parents Need to Know About Medications and the Summer Heat
If you have any questions, call the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. We are available to help 24/7.
