While the legal drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 21 years old, alcohol use is ultimately an individual choice. If you choose to drink, here are some strategies that you might be able to consider in order to reduce the harm that your drinking might cause yourself or others:
Determine, in advance, not to exceed a certain number of drinks and stick to it
Keep track of drinking by counting number of “standard drinks” consumed each hour
Space drinks over time, 1 or fewer drinks per hour to minimize impairment of judgment
Drink slowly
Avoid drinking before an event (i.e., front-loading)
Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Eat before and while drinking
Avoid drinking games that may quickly lead to impairment, vomiting, poisoning, and a possible hospital trip
Experiment with drinking less than typical for you
Experiment with refusing drinks
Limit attendance to social events where heavy drinking will occur
Practice ways to be more comfortable in social situations without using alcohol
Identify healthier ways to reduce stress (i.e., exercise, meditation, other)
Use a “buddy system” and watch out for each other
Let a friend know when you have had enough
Do not drink and drive
In the case that you actually choose not to drink, be assertive and clear about your choice
By nature, women’s bodies have lower levels of the enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) that metabolizes alcohol; thus, on average, women are more susceptible to intoxication than males who might be drinking at the same rate and amount; in addition, a woman’s menstrual cycle causes variability in the impairment potential of alcohol
This article was originally published on the University of Florida's Counseling Center website. It is published here with the University of Florida Counseling Center's permission.
