How to Prevent Alcohol Misuse

If drinking in excess, alcohol misuse can affect your good judgment and lead to reckless behavior. There's nothing wrong with drinking, if you're above the legal age. To avoid losing control and developing a dependency of alcohol, learn how to control your consumption.

Instructions

• 1

  Choose your recreation wisely and stay away from parties, bars and other places where you know alcohol is served in excess.

• 2

  Give yourself a personal limit. If you normally lose control after three or four drinks, cut yourself off after one or two drinks, to avoid impairing your judgment.

• 3

  Find a hobby. Drinking because you're bored can trigger alcohol misuse. Pursue a hobby to keep your mind occupied. Find ways to entertain yourself and friends that don't involve drinking -- host game night, play outdoor sports or plan a movie night.

• 4

  Substitute other drinks for alcohol. Occasionally experiment with non-alcoholic flavored drinks, such as lemonade or tea, or ask for non-alcoholic versions of your favorite cocktails. If trying to cut back on the amount of alcohol you drink, reserve alcohol for only certain days of the week -- perhaps the weekend -- or take a week-long break from alcohol.

• 5

  Drink slowly. Gulping down an alcoholic drink and ordering another one can trigger alcohol misuse. If ordering a drink, sip and consume the drink slowly. Eat before drinking alcohol to help minimize adverse effects.