Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

'Tis the season to be jolly, drink and be merry. But drinking too much this festive season can lead to unplanned sexual encounters.

Alcohol reduces your inhibitions and can lead you to have sexual intercourse with someone you would normally not give a second glance. Notwithstanding, alcohol can make sexual encounters seem like a lot more fun at the start only to lead you to regret in the cold light of day.

Women are also at a greater risk than men because they absorb and metabolise alcohol in a different way. Women generally retain higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood than men even after consuming the same amount.

And, excess use of alcohol can also leave women vulnerable to unscrupulous users of date rape drugs.

Examples

Twenty-two year-old Susanencountered a man who had had a crush on her for years, while lyming at a bar two years ago with friends.

After having several glasses of mixed drinks, the last thing she remembered was walking to his car along with her friend.

In the morning, both girls woke up in bed with George, unable to remember what had taken place during the night. He later related that they had engaged in a threesome.

Close call

Shannon,a 28-year-old resident of St. Catherine, just missed being sexually molested when her best friend's boyfriend attempted to have sex with her after a night of drinking on the town. This was two weeks ago.

He, too, wanted a threesome but it was the good sense of her friend who realised that she was drunk and unaware of her surroundings that saved her from the horrible ordeal.

Indiscriminate sexual activity

According to noted sexologist, Dr. Sydney McGill, alcohol consumption during the Christmas season leads to much indiscriminate sexual activity.

"Persons have sex with more partners than they would under normal circumstances due to the frequency of parties and alcohol consumption," he explained.

He added that the increased sexual activity opens up persons to contracting sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

Noting that the Christmas season is a time for family and friends to be together, loneliness, he said, can lead to alcohol use and indiscriminate sexual activity.

Tips for drinking out

1. Don't leave your drink unattended.

2. Don't accept a drink from a stranger.

3. If someone offers you a drink, ensure that you actually see the bartender serve or mix it.

4. Always be in the company of a friend you trust. Check up on each other at regular intervals.

5. Know your limit. Drink responsibly.

*Names changed on request.