Tips for safe drinking

If you take medications, check can your medication can react with alcohol?

Also talk to your doctor about alcohol use. Many people do not talk to their doctor about drinking. Your doctor knows your medical history best. Your doctor can make recommendations about safe alcohol use.

Here are some tips for safe drinking:

Try reducing your alcohol use

Good idea to have only 1 or 2 drinks. Heavy drinking (binge drinking) is not good if you are taking medications.

Try reducing your drink size

How about a can of beer instead of a pitcher? How about glass of wine instead of a whole bottle?

Use a narrow glass (instead of wide glass)

Wide glass can hold a lot of alcohol. Narrow glass makes it look you are drinking a larger portion (but you are not).

Try having a less strong drink

How about a light beer instead of strong beer?

Plan your drinking event

Make a plan before you start drinking. Decide how much you are going to drink. Good idea to limit to 1 or 2 drinks. Stick to your plan. Do not let anyone talk you into drinking too much.

Have food before you start drinking

A snack with your drink is good idea. Even better if you eat a full meal before drinking. Food in your tummy reduces absorption of alcohol. This way you won't get drunk quickly.

Wait a bit before ordering a drink

After arriving at a party, wait a bit before ordering a drink. Maybe chat around with friends as long as you can. Or maybe nibble on snacks while you chat with friends.

Drink slowly

Quick drinking can hit you hard. Do not gulp down your drink. Take slow sips.

Drink water and non-alcoholic drinks with alcohol

Easy rule: Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic drink. Or you can drink juice or soda after alcoholic drink.

Do not refill half empty glass

If you keep refilling half empty glass, you will never know how much you drank. Finish your drink. Do not let anyone top off your glass. Drink a glass of water. Wait an hour before next drink.

Do not rush out of party after your last drink

Your body gets rid of one drink in about one hour. You might be drunk if you leave quickly after last drink. Wait an hour or so after last drink.

Watch out for any side effects

When you are drinking, watch out for anything unusual. If you don't feel good, stop drinking.

Have "days off" alcohol

Give your liver some rest. Have alcohol-free days every week.

Page last updated: 1-November-2019