I love getting smashed just as much as the next guy. There's nothing like a few wobbly pops after a hard weeks work to loosen the old goose. Yet, I also understand the consequences of a ridiculous amount of downed wobbly pops.

After taking a brief look through last week's Interrobang, I noticed its main focus was on alcohol awareness. So I thought I'd give it the ol' Rick Melo take on things. I'm sure some of this will be repetitive of last week's issue, but hopefully I can further clarify a few things and help dispel certain myths about alcohol.

One thing you've probably heard for years is that beer is more fattening then liquor. This is complete bullshit. Your typical beer (five per cent Budweiser) has about 150 calories. Now, your typical shot of liquor (rye) has about 70 calories. You would most likely mix it with something unless you're bush league, so half a can of pop is another 70 calories. You've just transformed your supposed “lower calorie” liquor drink into a 150-calorie beverage.

Now let's get serious, most of us hit-up liquor drinks that are closer to one-and-half shots of liquor, or even two shots with the addition of more mix. Your liquor drink just jumped higher in calories then a typical beer! Most of us can drink liquor a lot quicker then beer, so you're even deeper in the calorie hole! It's overall calorie consumption that counts, so stop giving beer the sole blame for beer guts.

There are also many myths about hangovers. The truth is, a hang over is a hang over and once your hung over, there's not much you can do besides waiting. We're all human and our bodies eliminate alcohol at a certain speed. Time is the only thing that cures a hangover. There are several things that can be done to help cripple some of the awful effects.

A little milk or olive oil before a night on the town will help line the stomach and serve as a protective layer. Eating a good meal before heading out definitely helps absorb some of the alcohol content. Don't be afraid to snack throughout the night too, as it will keep aiding your cause. Drinking water throughout the night will help alleviate some of the dehydrating effects.

Oh, I almost forgot, avoid drinking like you're a rock star trying to commit suicide.

Alcohol dilates small blood vessels through the skin, which causes increased blood flow near the skins surface. Over time, these blood vessels can be permanently damaged. Underneath the eyes is where is can become most visible since the skin layer is extremely thin. You might laugh it off now since you're a young stallion, but once you hit your mid twenties, believe me, the skin won't glow like an angel anymore.

Drinking is the worst detriment when it comes to weight training and fitness. If you read last week's article, you already know how important water is when it comes to hitting the gym. If you're dehydrated and your water is being used to metabolize alcohol, then you won't have sufficient water to process other substances.

Heavy drinking also weakens your immune system, as well as a number of hormones. Drinking also affects the brain in a negative manner and will ruin your focus for training as well as other important daily tasks.

I could go on forever, but I don't think I need to beat a dead horse here. For the most part, we all understand the negative effects of heavy drinking. You're in college now and you should be having the time of your life. What you shouldn't be doing is looking like your forty by the time your twenty-five. A glass of wine a day can promote healthy benefits for the heart, but ten glasses a day can get you promoted for a nice coffin.

Remember, you are what you eat AND drink.