Hangover cure: Moderation

If there's revelry in the plans tonight, a UNC-Chapel Hill alcohol researcher says the best way to avoid a hangover tomorrow is to drink in moderation.

In addition, according to Dr. James Garbutt, a psychiatrist and researcher at UNC-CH's Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, partiers should never drink on an empty stomach, and should always take in plenty of water to offset the toxins in alcoholic beverages.

"If you drink on an empty stomach, you get intoxicated faster and you have a worse hangover," Garbutt said.

He said there's almost no real cure for a hangover. People can take ibuprofen to ease the headache, and sip sports drink for the dehydration, but that's about it. He also cautioned against taking acetaminophen - namely Tylenol - during or after a drinking bout because it can cause severe liver damage.

And certainly don't drink and drive: "The consequences of a single night of drinking, even if you're not an alcoholic, can be tragic," he said.