Watch what you drink this World Cup. Stay in control.

This week, the World Cup starts. Pubs have late licences and lots of alcohol will be consumed.

Too much alcohol can make you act in ways you wouldn’t when sober, because the way we process information is affected when we’ve been drinking. We’re more likely to misinterpret other people’s behaviour and misread social cues.

In 2017, a single unprovoked punch by a drunken yob killed my mum’s cousin. Last month, someone else I know was punched on a night out, breaking his jaw. Medical staff said he was lucky not to die.

Think about the consequences.

Punching someone in the head can be just as lethal as being stabbed.

A blow to the head can cause fatal damage to the brain, cause someone to stop breathing — starving the brain of oxygen — and cause loss of consciousness from striking their head on a hard surface.

Walk away! Make it a night to remember for the right reasons.

Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Stay in control: the Chief Medical Officer recommends no more than 14 units per week for both men and women. Consider alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks.

Stay hydrated: drink water before you go out and throughout the night. Don’t leave your drinks unattended.

Avoid trouble: walk away!

Alcohol can reduce your ability to think straight. Don’t be drawn into arguments. Plan your night: tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back. Book a taxi before you go out.

Don’t ruin your life — or the lives of others.

Punching -and seriously injuring or killing someone - will lead to a long prison sentence. It wrecks your life, your career, your prospects. It ruins your family’s lives. And it does the same to your victim and their family and friends. It isn’t worth it.

You can enjoy the World Cup without losing control through alcohol.