Risk Reduction
Moderate Drinking Guidelines
- Count your drinks and aim for BAC .05 or below
- 0-1-2-4 Rule: 0 (underage or pregnant) 1 (females per day) 2 (males per day) 4 (no more than 4 days per week)
Strategies to Reduce the Risk from Drinking
- Set a drinking limit near BAC .05
- Experiment with drinking less and refusing drinks
- Keep track of how much you consume by counting “standard drinks”
- Eat before and while you are drinking (eating after doesn’t help much)
- Be cautious when drinking liquor or mixed drinks due to high alcohol content
- Alternate alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
- Avoid drinking games
- Never leave your drink unattended
- Don’t drink too much too fast
- Don’t use alcohol with stimulants such as energy drinks
- Space your drinks over time
- Don’t drink while you’re sick or on medications
- Don’t drink as a method of escaping or coping with stress – it’s not effective or helpful
Strategies to Reduce Environmental / Activity Risks
- Select a designated driver who will not drink that night
- Don’t drive after drinking
- Refuse to ride in a car with an intoxicated driver
- Don’t operate machinery after drinking alcohol
- Be cautious in settings where large quantities of free or low-cost alcohol are available
- Have an exit plan in mind before attending a drinking event
- Don’t play sports after/while drinking alcohol
- Don’t swim after drinking alcohol
- Avoid drinking on rooftops, by open windows on upper floors, or by cliffs
- Avoid drinking in remote areas
- Let a nondrinker know where you will be if you go out drinking
Strategies to Reduce Risks Associated with Social Situations
- Be prepared to refuse assertively when pressured to drink more than you want
- Keep in mind that choosing not to drink is always a legitimate choice
- Practice ways to be comfortable in social situations without drinking
- Spend more time with friends who don’t drink heavily
- Be aware of the legal risks of underage drinking
- Be aware of university policies about drinking
- Use the “buddy system” to watch out for each other
- Take appropriate action if a friend passes out
- Be cautious about drinking too much on dates, or where sex is a possibility
- Don’t let others get you a drink or mix a drink for you
Updated: 12/12/2017 09:54AM