• Know how alcohol affects you.
• If you know you’ll be drinking, plan ahead (e.g., arrange a ride home, know where you're going.)
• If you drink often, try to cut down on how many times a week you drink alcohol.
• Do other activities in the evenings like watch a movie, sports, volunteer, or spend time outdoors.
• Don't drink on an empty stomach—always eat before and while you’re drinking.
• Before you have your first drink of alcohol, drink a glass of water or pop. Drink more water or pop in between drinks.
• Plan ahead how many drinks you'll have and stick to the plan.
• Take time to check in with how drunk you are. If you're starting to feel out of control, slow down or stop drinking.
• Don't try to keep up with other drinkers and don’t play drinking games.
• Know when you've had enough and tell others.
• Don't let other people top up your drinks and finish one drink before you start another one.

Tips to Stay Safe When Drinking

• Decide who the designated driver is before you go out and only get in a car with a sober driver.
• Only drink alcohol with good friends.
• Watch out for each other. If you see a friend getting really drunk, offer help.
• Never leave your drink unattended.

Choosing Not to Drink Alcohol

Sometimes friends will pressure you to drink when you don't want to. Here are some ways to not to drink:

• say you don’t like the taste of alcohol
• say you’re taking medicine and can’t drink with it
• offer to be the designated driver
• make your own drinks without alcohol or order non-alcoholic drinks

Thinking you may want cut down or stop drinking? Check out some resources that can help you take control...

Making educated decisions about drinking alcohol can help prevent alcohol from being a problem in your life. Understanding the effects of alcohol and the risks of alcohol use can help you:

• make an informed decision about whether or not to drink
• make safer decisions about drinking
• lower risks like injuries, unwanted sex, or being involved in something that’s against the law when you’re drinking