Method 1: Drinking Sensibly
1. Drink only one serving of alcoholic beverages per hour. One serving can be a small glass of spirits, a can of beer, a glass of wine or a mixer. Whatever it is, try to drink only one serving per hour. The liver can metabolize the alcohol within the hour and get it out of your system, preventing you from getting drunk. By doing this consistently, you can easily have a drink and stay sober. Sip slowly. Instead of taking a sip, take your time and enjoy it.
2. Limit your drinking to your alcohol tolerance. Set a drinking limit ahead of time and stick to it. If you know you're going to get drunk on 3 cans of beer, drink one can and then wait longer before drinking the next one to avoid getting drunk. Everyone's body breaks down alcohol differently, so there's no way to tell you exactly how long you should space out your next drink. If you're in doubt, keep in mind that the recommended amount of alcohol for men is 3 parts and for women 2 parts. Bring cash, not cards. You'll naturally stop drinking when you don't have any money on you.
Women are more likely to get drunk than men due to differences in body mass.
The heavier you are, basically the more you can drink and the slower you get drunk.
3. Drink with caution. Drink to savor the flavor of the wine, not to get drunk. Savor the flavor and aroma of the wine and don't drink it all in one go. Spend your money on expensive but highly enjoyable wine that is your only drink for the whole night. Take your time to savor the nuances of the wine, no matter what kind it is. From time to time, bring the glass close to your lips and give it a gentle shake. Don't rush to drink it; smell it first.
Savor the flavor of the wine as you swallow it. It is better to gulp it down than not to drink it at all.
Everyone's alcohol tolerance is different. Drink for yourself, not to prove something or to keep up with your friends' drinking.
4. Remember to drink some water before, during and after drinking. Studies have confirmed that drinking water helps with alcohol absorption and breakdown, and it's a good idea to pad your stomach with some water before you have your next drink. For every glass of wine you drink, drink a glass of water. Drink water during the drinking period as well. Drink water slowly, too, as this slows down the rate of drinking.
5. Stop and eat something. Contrary to popular belief, food doesn't prevent you from getting drunk. However, it can slow down the rate at which alcohol affects your brain cells. Eating also fills you up and prevents you from boozing it up in the meantime.
6. Make your own drinks to dilute the alcohol. When you drink, only drink mixers that you can control. For example, instead of using a full glass of spirits, pour only half a glass and then pour in soda or another drink for mixing. You'll be able to keep partying without drinking too much at once. Try a Shandy, a pale ale laced with lemon juice, and rationalize enjoying a little alcohol.
7. Find a date. See if there's someone out there who, like you, wants to drink a little and doesn't want to get drunk. You can watch each other's backs and gently stop each other from drinking when you're almost out of control. If everyone around you is sober, it's easier for you to stay sober, and you'll have a friend even if you get drunk.
8. Know what you're drinking. Don't just pick up a drink and drink it, especially at a party. It's a good guideline to only have one drink per hour, but the alcohol content of mixers can vary greatly at parties and events. And they are so sweet that they can mask the true alcohol concentration. Being at such occasions, it's best to drink only beer, wine or your own mixers. Don't mix different kinds of spirits, beer, and wine on the same night. You'll have a harder time figuring out how much you're actually drinking.
Method 2: Drink without getting drunk
1. Drink in moderation. Fundamentally, as soon as alcohol enters your body, you're going to get drunk. Once these chemicals enter the body, they are naturally filtered out through the liver and down the bloodstream to the brain. The best thing to do is to drink sensibly. The following methods can slightly ease the effects of alcohol on you before you get drunk after a few cans of beer.
2. Eat greasy snacks when you drink. Eat some snacks from time to time, and these fats can help protect your stomach from alcohol penetrating the lining of your stomach and slowing down the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. You'll get fat, but you won't get drunk as easily. Good choices include: fast food
nuts
pizza
ice cream and milkshakes (dairy products can also help slow alcohol absorption)
3. Eat a spoonful of yeast to slightly counteract the effects of alcohol on your body. Studies show eating a tsp of yeast for baking can break down alcohol like the liver does and not get as drunk. Before you drink, mix the yeast with water or yogurt and drink it. It doesn't work very well, but they may lower blood alcohol levels by 20 to 30 percent. This method reduces the amount of alcohol you absorb, but it "doesn't" prevent you from getting drunk.
Scientists dispute the effectiveness of yeast, however.
4. Slowly increase your alcohol tolerance. The more often you drink, the faster your body adapts to feeling drunk. Over time, your body needs more alcohol to get drunk, and you can have a few more drinks than before. The more you drink, the higher your tolerance. By having a glass or two of wine each night, you may be able to stay sober more easily while drinking. For a variety of physical, psychological and social effects, it is not recommended that you drink purely to increase your alcohol tolerance. This can quickly lead to health problems and alcohol addiction.
5. Mix water in your drink, especially mixers. Put in more of the other drinks and less of the alcohol. You'll still be able to drink, but your body won't absorb too much alcohol at once, which can help you stay more sober. You can also mix your own shandy (shandy) by mixing lemon juice with your beer.
6. Before you drink, drink a glass of milk and then another glass of milk in the second half of the night. Dairy products protect the stomach and reduce its absorption of alcohol. Of course, the alcohol ends up in the body, but it takes longer. The liver can take the opportunity to get rid of some of the alcohol before the rest is absorbed. Carbonated beverages may destroy the protection that dairy products provide to the stomach, so this method may not work for beer and cocktails that contain soda.
As with many other methods, scientists dispute the effectiveness of milk. However, many have confirmed that milk does work.
Method 3: Cope with peer pressure
1. Believe in your decision not to drink. Alcohol isn't for everyone, and it's definitely not a "healthy lifestyle choice". So don't feel like a boring, uninteresting person just because you don't want to drink. By figuring out why you don't want to drink, you'll be in a better position to say no to people even in the most difficult situations. When you decide not to drink for whatever reason, stick to it. Once you've compromised by agreeing to "just one drink," the rest of the night will usually go badly.
You are not obliged to explain to others why you don't want to drink. Alcohol is a recreational drug, not a way of life or a philosophy. If you don't want to drink, don't drink.
2. Avoid situations where you have to drink often. Especially if you're in withdrawal or are easily stressed, going to a bar or party will certainly be tempting. Suggest other activities to your friends, change your pastimes, and try to plan activities other than drinking. You don't need to avoid everyone who drinks. Just make sure that there isn't a strong drinking culture around you, that you won't be tempted, and that no one will force you to drink with them.
Let your close friends know ahead of time that you don't want to drink. Tell them why and ask them to help you stay sober. Get their support before the party starts.
3. Learn to turn people down quickly and confidently. The best response when someone asks you if you want a drink is to simply and firmly say, "No, thanks." That sentence should be enough, but people often ask for an explanation or reason, or plead with you to drink with them. When people offer you a drink, turn them down quickly, directly and honestly. Look them in the eye and make your position clear and firm." I don't want another drink, thanks."
"I'm the designated driver for tonight then."
"I'm allergic to alcohol" is a great response that turns someone down in a joking manner and lightens the mood.
4. Have a glass of something else in your hand. This is usually enough to convince someone not to let you drink. Take whatever you want, but sodas and other fizzy drinks can be a good way to signal that you're having a drink but don't want to drink. Make it clear to the waiter beforehand that you are not drinking today. Tip him and thank him for the sodas and water.
If someone keeps insisting that you drink, take the glass. After you take it, you may not drink. Most people don't know how many drinks you're holding.
5. Find something to do other than get drunk. If you're in a situation where there's something else to distract you, like food, a game (bowling, darts, pool, etc.), or a concert, you'll be less likely to drink. You're less likely to drink if there are bright lights around, not too many people, and you feel comfortable and at ease. Make sure that people have other things to do or talk about and that drinking is not the main activity, just a side item.
6. If the people around you keep pressuring you to drink and you're under a lot of pressure, then leave. The people around you keep pestering you to drink, and it looks like it's going to ruin your night, so it's time to leave. Drinking is not an activity, nor should it become one. If the only thing the people there do is get drunk and don't respect your decision not to get drunk, then you should leave.
7. Try to avoid temptation. If you know you might drink over the limit, there are ways to remind yourself to stop drinking. Remember the reasons why you don't want to get drunk and think about why it's important for you to stay sober. Some suggestions include popping yourself with a rubber band. Wear a rubber band around your wrist and every time you want to drink, flick yourself hard to stay sane and make smart choices.
Have a friend remind you of moderation. You can find a friend who doesn't drink, or one who knows his or her limits and always stops drinking in time. You can also have a family member watch you.
Distract yourself. Get up and dance, talk to someone for a while, or play pool.
If you can manage not to drink, reward yourself in other ways, like shopping, eating your favorite food, going to the movies, or calling and talking to a friend far away.
TipLearn about the problems drinking can cause. There are many educational resources online and at community centers to help you understand what problems and illnesses drinking can cause. Requesting some information and reading it well can help you avoid getting drunk.
Want to use food to get more drunk? You'll still get drunk. Don't abuse this method.
Don't discuss drinking with others, including who is a better drinker or announcing that you've decided not to drink. Not only are such topics boring, they divert everyone's attention to the alcohol. If it turns into a competition or a contest to get ahead, they may raise the stakes and encourage you to drink. It's not a bad idea to change the subject or rush to the bathroom.
WarningIf you don't trust friends or other people, it's best to buy your own non-alcoholic drinks. Even if they don't mean any harm, insisting on buying you a drink when you don't want one is coercive and inappropriate behavior.
If you are addicted to alcohol and have a drinking problem, take some time to seek help.