Looking for some tips to help reduce your drinking?

Below are a few do-able things you can try to keep a fun night with friends from getting out-of-control. Looking for tips to help you stop drinking? Check out this list instead.

• Want to just reduce how much you’re drinking? Try some of these things:

• Set a limit for the number of drinks you’ll have before you go out. By planning how many you’ll have, you’re more likely to think twice about having “just one more.”

• Keep track of how much you’re drinking. It might seem obvious, but counting exactly how much you drink on a given night can help you stick to a goal you have.

• Limit your drinking to only certain nights each week. Only drinking on Fridays or Saturdays, for example, can help you limit your total drinking in a given week.

• Set a specific time for when you’ll stop drinking or leave the bar/party. Telling yourself that you’ll head home by midnight (for example) can keep things from getting too wild.

• Alternate alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks. Asking for a soda or juice in between cocktails can help keep you from drinking more than you meant to, and most will never be wiser!

• Pre-drink/Pre-game less. Try limiting yourself to only a drink or two before you hit the bar or club, so you aren’t too buzzed before you even get there!

• Avoid playing drinking games. We know they can be fun, but playing drinking games is often one of the biggest reasons people get out of control and end up doing something dangerous.

• Take cash with you when you go out to pay for drinks, and pledge to spend only that amount on a given night. Limiting the amount you can spend on drinks in a given night is a good way to make sure you don’t drink beyond your limits.

• Ask for extra ice in your drinks. Asking the bartender for “extra ice” when you order a drink can help reduce the total amount you drink when you’re out.

• Choose drinks with less alcohol content. Buying/ordering a light beer instead of that 18% IPA, or wine instead of a dry martini, can help make sure you don’t get too drunk, too quickly.

• Do other things in between drinks. Instead of just sitting and drinking, dance, play pool, or shoot darts in between drinks, so you don’t have too many.

• Sip slowly. Avoid chugging, gulping, or doing keg stands. Instead, slower, casual sips can keep you from getting drunk.

• Make sure to eat well before you start drinking. Having a good meal beforehand can make sure you don’t get too drunk and end up doing something harmful or embarrassing.

• Ask a friend to let you know when you’ve had enough. Telling a trusted friend to keep an eye on you and cut you off when needed is a great way to make sure you’re accountable to someone. Having a friend with you can also help keep you safe when you’ve had too much.