Lauren, ouch on the cider and black! unless it diet black? Hard to come by, in pubs, though. The vodka is ok, though
Clear spirits and diet mixers are the best to drink. Wine is ok. Liqueurs and sweet spirits aren't so good.
I think, as long as you are with someone who knows what to do, getting drunk occassionally is ok. I'm not a huge drinker but I have got drunk twice during my time in France, now. Fortunately, my boyf is very concientious, and as soon as he notices I'm getting a bit merry immediately stops drinking himself so that he can keep an eye on me. So, so far, no problems
Just take care, though. As someone says here, it can cause your blood sugar to drop, and send you hypo, and it may be mistaken for just being drunk. Carry glucose tablets with you, and try to train yourself to eat them as soon as you feel hypo. It won't stop you getting drunk (I think! I may be wrong here), but it will stop you going hypo