Do you really know what you are letting yourself in for. If the answer is no, then how about a bit of friendly advice.
The Mail today has some tips for people to enjoy a relaxing drink without going over the top.
For many people, having a drink or two is often an important part of socialising and most of us enjoy a drink when we're relaxing or having fun.
Nobody's saying that we should all cut out drinking. But it is important to have the facts about how alcohol can affect your health, relationships and career.
So then you'll be able to decide how much you want to drink.
Staying in
When you're drinking at home you can get a false sense of security. You still need to think about your units – and consider the following:
l Don't mix alcohol with any kind of medication as it can reduce the drug's effects and be harmful;
l Don't mix alcohol with recreational drugs, especially stimulants (such as ecstasy or cocaine);
l If you are drinking wine, try using a smaller glass: a small glass of wine (ABV 12%) is about 1.5 units but a large glass of stronger wine can contain three units or more;
l It may be best not to drink if you have mental health problems like depression - it could make these worse.
Going out
If you're getting ready for a big night, we've put together some tips worth remembering before you start a drinking session.
They could stop you getting a nasty hangover - or even save your life.
l Eat before you go out, or early in the evening, to reduce the effects of your drinking;
l Remember, it's not about saving up your units for the week and cramming them all into one evening;
l Drink water regularly during the evening and before you go to bed;
l Take a break if you think the drink is hitting you too quickly;
l Pace yourself with soft drinks – a tonic looks the same with or without vodka;
l Don't try to keep up with friends who drink more than you - that's their choice;
l Don't mix alcohol with drugs of any kind, but especially ecstasy or cocaine: it can be deadly;
l If you're on medication, ask your doctor if it's safe to drink;
l After a session of heavy drinking take a break for 48 hours to let your body recover.
DANGERS TO BE AWARE OF
The more you drink, the more at risk you are of becoming involved in a fight or unsafe sex or being targeted by criminals.
Violence
You might not be out of control but you can't control how other people behave when they're drunk. Half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related – and young men are particularly vulnerable to violent attacks by others who've been drinking.
Sex
Can you be sure you'll use a condom? Unsafe sex can lead to unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, herpes or gonorrhoea.
Getting home
Plan how you're going to get home before you set off. If you're drunk you're more likely to decide to get an unlicensed minicab or walk home alone and if you're a woman, situations like these can put you at risk of sexual assault.
Spiked drinks
Both women and men could have their drinks spiked. Keep your drink with you. Agree with your friends to watch out for each other and to support each other if one of you suddenly seems unusually drunk or is acting strangely. Drinks can be spiked with more alcohol too.
Injuries
If you're so drunk that you're dizzy or falling over, you could do yourself a serious injury. Most common of all is people falling over and breaking limbs, but at the other end of the spectrum, a very serious fall could have bigger consequences.