Avoiding a Hangover this St. Patrick’s Day

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CLEVELAND – If you’re planning to drink this Saint Patrick’s Day, you may be tempted to try one of the many so-called tricks out there to help avoid a hangover.

But, do any of them actually work?

“The one that I’ve heard very commonly is liquor before beer and you’re in the clear. And they did a study on this, and it’s actually not true, it is in fact a myth. Alcohol is alcohol,” said Akhil Anand, MD, addiction psychiatrist for Cleveland Clinic.

You may have also heard of people drinking alcohol the next day to alleviate hangover symptoms, often referred to as the “hair of the dog.”

Dr. Anand said that doesn’t work either. All that does is delay your hangover.

Another one that’s common is taking a pain reliever before bed.

He advises against that since it could put you at an increased risk for gastrointestinal bleeding.

And while it might not be what some want to hear, the best and safest way to avoid a hangover is to simply not drink as much, or even at all.

“St. Patrick’s Day is not just about drinking. It’s about spending time with your friends and family. And knowing that what you do today is going to affect your day tomorrow,” said Dr. Anand. “You can have a good time without having to drink so much alcohol. There’s corned beef, there’s the parade. If you pace yourself, you can still have a good time.”

He said if you do plan to drink on Saint Patrick’s Day, make sure you eat before, which can help slow down absorption of the alcohol.

It’s also important to stay hydrated.