Low-Risk Consumption

While consuming alcohol is risky behavior, here are some tips that can make consuming alcohol safer.

  • Have a plan about when, where, and how you will consume alcohol. Having a plan is critical for making low-risk choices. Part of your plan should include how you will get home.
  • Eat before, during, and after consuming alcohol
  • Make your own drink
  • Know what you're drinking - higher alcohol content means quicker impairment
  • Never leave your drink alone
  • Drink water during and after consumption
  • Know your surroundings - be safe
  • Keep count of your consumed drinks General rule is less than 1 drink per hour
  • Avoid "drinking games" that require consuming large quantities of alcohol quickly. If you are personally compelled to play, use very small quantities with low-alcohol content instead.
  • Don't be a chemist; alcohol does not safely mix with any drugs including prescription drugs and energy drinks.
  • Shots of alcohol are not your friend; you will become impaired quicker and risk alcohol poisoning.
  • Know your limits: there are many factors that contribute to one's tolerance to alcohol, including body composition, gender, genetics, and age. Tolerance to alcohol does not mean you can drink more alcohol than the next person; it simply means that you are managing to function in spite of impairment. Tolerance simply means you are becoming adept at hiding or masking the behavioral effects associated with drinking. Your actual Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) may be the same as individuals with less tolerance. The liver can only metabolize about 1 ounce of alcohol per hour, so even if you don't feel the effects of alcohol, you can still be impaired.
  • Check out more information about your BAC
  • Make your own choices about alcohol consumption. Your friends will still be your friends even if you choose not to drink.
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