How To Say No To Alcohol?

10 Ways to Say NO to Alcohol at a Party or Elsewhere

1. Be Honest About Your Reasons for Not Drinking.
2. Prepare a Generic Excuse.
3. Pretend You’re Drinking With a Mocktail.
4. Let the Bartender Know You’re Not Drinking.
5. Change the Subject.
6. Keep Your Hands Busy.
7. Say You’re On Medications.
8. Say You’re On a Diet.

Meer items

Is it rude to decline a drink?

How to Say No to a Drink Students say no to drinks all the time whether it’s because they don’t drink at all, they aren’t drinking that night, or they are pacing themselves and in between drinks when offered one. It can feel rude or unfriendly to say no when someone offers a drink, but you can say no to a drink.

• People should respect your choice.
• However, if you feel uncomfortable saying, “I don’t drink”, or you worry that might solicit additional questions, check out this video for some creative ways Princeton students refuse a drink.
• You can also hold a cup with water or mixer in it and most people will leave you alone.

But if someone is still bothering you about it, you can say any of the following:

“I have an early morning tomorrow.” “I want to take it easy tonight.” “I have too much to do tomorrow.”

You can also distract the person by changing the subject, suggesting that you go do something else, or saying you need to go to the bathroom. If you say no to a drink, some people might ask you why you’re not drinking. If you see someone else being pressured to drink, you can use the,

1. You can directly tell the person doing the pressuring that it’s not cool.
2. You can ask one of their friends to ask them to stop.
3. Or you can distract everyone from the situation by inviting the person being pressured to dance, to come with you to the restroom or to head somewhere else away from the person doing the pressuring.

: How to Say No to a Drink

What to say when you don t want to drink?

18 WAYS TO SAY NO TO ALCOHOL – If you’re going to be in a situation where you’re likely to be offered alcohol, arm yourself with statements you can use to make it crystal clear that you don’t want to drink. This is especially important when simply saying, “No, thank you” isn’t enough.

Is it okay to refuse to drink?

How to Refuse a Drink? – There are various ways to refuse a drink. Some of the tips on how to dodge it might be of great help:

1. Say no.
2. Make excuses.
3. Substitute alcohol with a non-alcoholic beverage.
4. Drive home.
5. Shift the focus.
6. Add a pinch of humor.
7. Avoid undue pressure.
8. Take control of the bottle.
9. Your life, your choices.

Say No: Alcohol is a trend in all circles. Hanging out with your friends, alcohol will be the first thing they order. Go to a pub or club, there also alcohol plays the chief role. These days even at weddings or simple get-togethers, alcohol is involved.

But what if you do not wish to drink? How can you refuse to drink? Well, in that case, Do not hesitate to say no. No is not a word. It is a complete sentence. Nobody seeks an explanation. If you do not wish to drink, a simple – “No, thanks!” would work well. Be respectful and friendly yet firm and clear while saying so.

If you get into a discussion, it would be prolonged, stretchy, and will give more opportunities to give in. Thus keep the response short and simple. If somebody insists on you, repeat your response. And if they force it on you, walk away. Make Excuses: Peer pressure and social influences play an important role in encouraging drinking habits.

To avoid such pressures, one can always come up with excuses. There is no harm in telling a lie that saves you from something non-beneficial. And it is a better way to turn down a drink. You can come up with some early class or shift work excuses, fear of parents and family members, or say you are on medication that prohibits you from taking alcohol.

Substitute Alcohol With a Non-alcoholic Drink: Go for some non-alcoholic drinks such as fresh lime, soda, juice, or anything of your choice. In a bar, choose alcohol-free beers, virgin pina, cola, or a better substitute that suits your choice. Drive: We know that drinking and driving may lead to road accidents and deaths.

1. So you can offer a drive to your friends and stay sober.
2. It will enable you to enjoy your time without people indulging you in drinks.
3. They will show a feeling of gratitude towards you.
4. Shift the Focus: If someone insists on you for a drink even after saying no persistently, what to do in such a situation? Well, in such a case, involve a third person, who accompanies your friend for a drink.

Start a conversation on different topics such as series, sports, movies, or anything and keep them engaged. You can also distract them by complimenting them. Divert the conversation to the dress they are wearing. Talk about different brands and your choices.

1. Plan a shopping trip together.
2. It will help you shift the focus from drinking to somewhere else.
3. Add a Pinch of Humor: What if complimenting them does not solve the problem? Well, in that case, humor might be of great help.
4. Try cracking jokes about alcohol such as – no alcohol is good enough to make me feel drunk, or anything of the kind.

It will bring a zest of laughter and keep you away from the drink. Make sure to keep a polite, friendly tone and be particular. Avoid Undue Pressure When Possible: If you have a gut instinct that attending the party will end up in alcohol consumption, avoid such parties for the time being.

It will bring you some ease and resistance. Remember, you are avoiding the party and not your friend. Try to catch up with them later and make sure that the meeting does not involve drinking. Take Control Over the Bottle: Well, that is another way to avoid drinking without even being noticed. Be the one who serves the alcohol around.

Pour the glasses with alcohol, and nobody will notice that you do not have any. It Is Your Choice, in the End: Choosing a better option for your health and well-being should never be explained. It is your call. You are in charge of your decisions, and it is up to you how honestly you follow them.

1. Remember, you are doing things for your betterment.
2. It would not benefit anyone else.
3. Try to stick to the decision and even encourage others.
4. It will bring along a lot of positivity and a desire to continue the path you created.
5. Conclusion: Alcohol is just a fancy thing.
6. Despite knowing its health hazards, people consume it on a large scale.

Alcoholism (excessive alcohol consumption) might lead to various diseases, cancers, and even death. Refusing a drink is quite challenging, and people may consider you boring or outdated, but it is not a big deal. Drinking is a personal choice. Spending a good time doesn’t necessarily involve drinking.

• One can have a good time even without drinking.
• And nobody can categorize you with the title of cool or uncool based on drinking.
• There are various tips by which one can turn down a drink.
• One can opt for them and happily avoid drinking.
• There are several reasons for quitting this habit, and not everybody is liable to get an explanation for the same.

Thus stay firm, stick to your decisions, stay motivated, and encourage others to choose a healthy way of living by not risking their lives. Last reviewed at: 03 Oct 2022 – 5 min read

Is it weird not to drink alcohol?

Things to remember if you don’t drink alcohol – In a world where alcohol seems to be omnipresent, it’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you for not drinking. Especially if you choose not to drink to overcome addiction or tackle another health problem, you are doing the right thing and it is very brave.

• It isn’t easy to step out of the ordinary and go against the grain when it’s ingrained in our society that we need to drink.
• There is pressure to drink to celebrate, to commiserate, to de-stress, when we are tired and even when we are happy.
• By not drinking, you are stepping out of the norm.
• While this can be frightening, you are showing yourself and others that you can do everything in life just as they can, without the crutch of a drink,” says Walker.

She highlights that it takes emotional resilience and mental strength to maintain sobriety and navigate life in all its rawness without alcohol. “But if you are choosing to do that, for whatever reason, you have done really well so far and can continue to do so.

If you are craving a drink, remember to check in with yourself. Remind yourself of the reasons why you chose this path and, if you’re overcoming an addiction, go easy on yourself. Don’t put pressure on yourself to quit forever immediately, and be sure to communicate your feelings.” She also stresses the importance of practising the appropriate self-care tool for the emotion currently at play, rather than turning to alcohol as a quick solution.

“If you are tired, then rest. If you are happy, consider how adding alcohol can only numb that feeling. If you are lonely, connect with people who understand what you’re going through. Remember that alcohol is a depressant and it is unlikely to make any of these things better in the long run.”

Is it good to never drink alcohol in your life?

There are several health benefits of not drinking alcohol. And we’re not just talking about no more hangovers on the next day — though that’s definitely an added bonus. Some of these health benefits apply to those struggling with alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal, but let’s focus on the positive changes you can experience by reducing the amount of alcohol you drink or cutting it out completely.

• Is it healthier not to drink alcohol? Yes, not drinking alcohol is healthier than drinking, even in moderation.
• In fact, a massive global 2018 study suggests that no amount of alcohol actually improves your health.
• Here’s the good news: While there may be some positive health effects of certain compounds in wine, you don’t actually need to drink alcohol to get those benefits! Even if you live more sober curious, rather than practicing total sobriety, you’ll enjoy many of the health benefits of not drinking alcohol,

What are some benefits of quitting for even just a month? When you don’t drink alcohol for a month, you might lose weight, reverse liver damage, improve the look of your skin, get better sleep, and so much more! Dry January is looking like a great choice now, huh? Not ready to say goodbye to wine? Surely’s non-alcoholic wine selection offers genuine taste and benefits of wine without the drawbacks of alcohol.1.

1. Improved Liver Function You can expect improved liver function almost immediately after you stop drinking alcohol.
2. Experts predict that most drinkers’ livers can return to completely normal function after 4-8 weeks of no alcohol.
3. Your liver will breathe a sigh of relief when it no longer has to process all that alcohol and can focus on its other functions, like regulating chemical levels in your blood and efficiently excreting bile.

Heavy drinkers often have an overworked liver. Cirrhosis of the liver and fatty liver disease are more common in people with very heavy drinking habits. Sobriety will let your liver rest after all that work of constantly processing alcohol out of your blood.

But alcoholic beverages also trigger oxidative stress in the liver since alcohol diminishes the liver’s antioxidants. Beyond that, once damage is done to the liver, a prolonged immune response increases inflammation in your liver. Not drinking alcohol fixes these problems in the liver, too.2. Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease When you stop excessive drinking, your risk of heart disease goes down.

Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, it would be a wise idea to lower your risk if possible. Heavy drinking seems to increase cholesterol levels, a predictor of heart disease. Examples of cardiovascular diseases:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Vascular disease
• Marfan syndrome
• Cardiomyopathy
• Atrial fibrillation

Important: When you drink wine moderately (one drink a day for women, 2 drinks a day for men), this actually decreases your risk of heart disease – likely because of the resveratrol in wine. Anything beyond that moderate amount significantly increases your risk of heart disease, including deadly events.

A mountain of evidence shows that heavy drinking, binge drinking, or alcohol use disorder can lead to cardiovascular disease. Quitting the sauce is a great way to lengthen your life.3. Reduced Risk of Cancer Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. So it’s good news that not drinking alcohol is a great way to reduce your risk of cancer.

Thanks to a powerful alcohol industry — and our society’s love of drinking — few people realize that drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer. In a survey of 2100 English adults, only 13% were aware of the link between alcohol and cancer without being prompted.

• Liver cancer
• Oral cancer
• Breast cancer
• Pharynx cancer
• Larynx cancer
• Esophagus cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Even light drinking (having one drink or fewer per day) has been associated with a slightly higher risk of breast cancer in women and colorectal cancer in men. The health benefits of not drinking include reducing your risk for cancer. Awareness of this alcohol-cancer link is low, so feel free to bring it up at your next social gathering (just don’t forget to add how great your alcohol-free wine options are!).4.

• Weight Loss Losing weight is a fun benefit of not drinking alcohol.
• Having more than one drink of beer or booze a day is linked to being overweight or obese,
• Giving up alcohol lowers that risk, and may even help you lose that belly fat.
• Cutting the empty calories found in alcohol is the most obvious way that not drinking helps you lose weight.

A can of beer contains 154 calories. Mixed drinks are worse, once you add in all those sugars and other carbs. A single mojito can contain 250 calories. That alcohol intake adds a lot of extra calories in addition to your normal daily diet. Also, when you drink alcohol, your ability to make smart dietary choices gets weaker and weaker.

1. After downing a beer, you’re more likely to eat a high-calorie plate of nachos.
2. Not drinking helps you avoid these extra calories.
3. When you stop drinking, you also get better sleep, leading to normalized appetite and metabolism.
4. If your sleep quality is poor, hormonal changes can lead to increased appetite, slower metabolism, and more stress.

Stress hormones make it harder to burn those pesky fat cells. If you think about it, drinking alcohol makes it less likely that you will exercise. Whether you’re spending the time enjoying those glasses of wine instead of exercising, or you’re reeling from a hangover headache, alcohol is more likely to prevent exercise than encourage it.

Fitness and an active life are so important to weight loss and overall health. Can you lose belly fat by not drinking alcohol? If you’re a heavy drinker or binge drinker, not drinking alcohol can help you lose belly fat. Not only can not drinking decrease your stress hormones that make fat harder to burn, not drinking cuts carbohydrates and calories and makes you more likely to exercise.5.

Healthier Skin Not drinking alcohol may lead to healthier, better-looking skin — probably because of the havoc drinking wreaks on your hydration. Since alcohol consumption is associated with many skin problems, not drinking may improve your skin health quite a bit.

Some experts claim you will see improvements in your skin in as little as one week after your last drink, and that your skin may completely renew itself within a month, How long before you feel the benefits of not drinking? It may take one week to one month before you feel the benefits of not drinking.

How To Easily Tell People You’re Not Drinking

Some experts claim your skin will look better after a week. Your liver will start to heal almost immediately. But most health benefits of not drinking take about a month to fully set in. Even a self-proclaimed Botox guru, Dr. Michael Prager says, “Even the very best Botox will never give you a glow as vibrant as a couple of months off the bottle.” Heavy alcohol use (more than one drink a day) was associated with “upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, oral commissures, midface volume loss”.

• Hives
• Flushing
• Jaundice
• Psoriasis
• Itchy skin
• Eczema (especially on the scalp)
• Rosacea
• Porphyria cutanea tarda

Healthier skin is a proven health benefit of not drinking. If you deal with any of the skin conditions mentioned above, sobriety can be your beauty secret.6. Better Sleep Although alcohol is a sedative that slows brain function, triggering feelings of sleepiness and relaxation, drinking alcohol is actually pretty bad for your beauty sleep,

• Alcohol may make you drowsy at first.
• But once you fall asleep, the alcohol can wake you up throughout the night.
• Drinking right before bed often disrupts REM sleep, the all-important stage of slumber that may be linked to dreaming, restfulness, and memory.
• It may even interfere with your breathing.
• According to the Sleep Foundation, “the consumption of alcohol – especially in excess – has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration.” Alcohol disrupts sleep and lowers sleep quality,

Drinking alcohol greatly increases a patient’s risk of developing sleep bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding), which can cause morning headaches, tooth damage, and TMJ disorder. To further complicate things, getting bad sleep tanks your energy levels during the day.7.

1. Less Frequent Sickness You’ll get sick less often if you don’t drink because excessive alcohol affects your immune system.
2. Your immune system is what fights off infections and diseases.
3. Therefore, abstaining from alcohol makes it easier for your body to naturally fight off infection and diseases.
4. Like heart disease, one drink a day may improve immune system health — namely reduced inflammation and improved responses to vaccinations.

Anything more than one drink per day is very bad for your immune function. Heavy drinking is associated with increased bacterial and viral infections. It is proven that alcohol disrupts your immune system’s ability to fight/recover from bacterial and viral infections, but also liver disease, lung disease, cancer, or simple injuries and wounds.

When you don’t drink, your immune system is stronger, meaning you’ll experience less frequent sickness. However, it’s important to know that immune dysfunction is prevalent in our society, for a variety of reasons. Alcohol is just one element that screws up your immune system. We can probably all agree after a pandemic that improving our immune systems is a good idea.8.

Better Concentration Alcohol messes with your concentration. It has been known for decades that mental functions like concentration and vigilance are impaired when someone is well below the blood alcohol level legal limit. This 2017 study shows a huge portion of undergraduate students drink at a hazardous and harmful rate — which literally everyone in the country could have guessed.

You could probably also guess that it affects their ability to concentrate and perform well academically. It’s a no-brainer that “high levels of alcohol consumption are associated with poor academic performance and mental health outcomes among students.” Alcohol makes it hard to concentrate at work, even the morning after,

Drinking can worsen your job performance. Cut out alcohol from your life, and your concentration will get better, as well as your school and/or job performance.9. Improved Mental Health Not drinking can improve your brain health. Not only can poor mental health lead to drinking, but drinking can also lead to poor mental health.

• In the short-term, alcohol can reduce anxiety and release your inhibitions.
• But anything beyond a drink a day increases the risk of new or worsening mental health problems.
• Alcohol can make depression and anxiety worse, 2 major mental health issues.
• Heavy drinking can lead to mood changes, increased aggression, and paranoia.

When it comes to mental health, it’s a chicken-egg question. Which came first? The alcohol, or the mental health issues? In most cases, it’s a mix of both. If your loved one is struggling with mental health concerns and frequent alcohol consumption, encouraging them to seek help for their addiction and mental health may significantly improve their life.

Health Risks of Drinking Too Much Alcohol Alcohol is more destructive than you know, particularly when you binge. There are innumerable health risks of drinking too much alcohol, Yes, drinking one glass of wine a day may improve heart health. But any more than that, and you’re looking at an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and so much more.

You can’t afford heavy drinking or even just temporary binge drinking. Your health is too important. In general, drinking alcohol significantly impacts your well-being — the more you drink, the worse you feel. Years of research show that alcohol increases your risk of:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Liver disease
• Automobile accidents
• Immune dysfunction
• Depression
• Addiction
• Stomach bleeding
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Rosacea
• Jaundice
• Hives
• Worsening diabetes symptoms
• Erectile dysfunction
• Vaginal dryness
• Birth defects or other risks to a fetus or infant (if drinking while pregnant or breastfeeding )

And that’s not all. Alcohol plays a role in 1 out of every 3 violent crimes. Alcohol misuse costs about $250 billion a year. Plus, alcohol is a buzzkill (forgive the terrible pun) for many medications. Alcohol reacts poorly with various prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antidepressants, painkillers, and acetaminophen.

What happens to your body when you don’t drink alcohol? If you’re a heavy drinker, you’ll probably experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol. These symptoms may include anxiety, cold sweats, shakiness, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms after quitting alcohol, you may be struggling with alcohol addiction.

Should you quit drinking? We think there are a lot of reasons to quit drinking, Although one glass of wine a day can improve your heart health, there are a lot of health risks when it comes to alcohol. Benefits of a permanent alcohol detox will impact your health in so many ways — your weight, your sleep, your risk of major diseases, your immune system, your skin health, etc.

1. For many people, life is just better without alcohol.
2. Living a sober lifestyle can be difficult but for those of us who still want to answer cravings for boozy beverages, there are plenty of alcohol alternatives to choose from that make it easier.
3. Try Surely’s unique alcohol-removed sauvignon blanc or one of the fun mocktails you can make.

🍹 Going sober is right for you if you are a heavy drinker, a binge drinker, or if you suffer from any of the many diseases that alcohol has been linked to. Plus, even without a disorder, your health can still benefit from living sober. If you struggle with alcohol use disorder, please contact one of these support groups:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 800-662-4357
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Various local wellness centers that may work with your insurance

There are people out there eager to support those who need it. The current National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) guidelines for alcoholism treatment include therapy, medication, and management of related diseases There is no shame in seeking help.

What percent of people don’t drink?

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 and older who say they drink alcohol averaged 63% over the past two years, whereas 36% described themselves as “total abstainers.” The drinking rate ticks up to 65% when narrowed to adults of legal drinking age, which is 21 and older nationwide.

1. Since 1939, Gallup has asked Americans whether they “have occasion to use alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine or beer” or if they are “a total abstainer.” Across the trend, the percentage saying they drink has dipped as low as 55% (in 1958) and risen as high as 71% (in the 1970s).
2. However, in recent decades, the U.S.

drinking rate has consistently registered near the long-term average of 63%. ###Embeddable###

How to get a buzz without alcohol?

Final Thoughts – Drinks that can give you a buzz without alcohol are full of flavors and what makes them better is that they can make you feel good without the dreaded hangover. Drinks with cannabidiol (CBD), hemp, elixir, adaptogenic, and kava can lift your mood and relax you.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/distilled-spirit https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22361-adaptogens https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinatroitino/2016/09/15/whats-behind-the-intoxicating-rise-of-kava-bars-in-the-u-s/

Should I drink alcohol yes or no?

Frequently Asked Questions Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Alcohol affects every organ in the body. It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream.

1. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes.
2. However, the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body.
3. The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.
4. A standard drink is equal to 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol.

Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
• 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
• 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).

No. One 12-ounce beer has about the same amount of alcohol as one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. It is the amount of alcohol consumed that affects a person most, not the type of alcoholic drink. According to the, 1 adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed.

Drinking less is better for health than drinking more. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking usually corresponds to 5 or more drinks on a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for women.2 “Getting drunk” or intoxicated is the result of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.

Binge drinking typically results in acute intoxication.2 Alcohol intoxication can be harmful for a variety of reasons, including:

• Impaired brain function resulting in poor judgment, reduced reaction time, loss of balance and motor skills, or slurred speech.
• Dilation of blood vessels, causing a feeling of warmth but resulting in rapid loss of body heat.
• Increased risk of certain, stroke, and liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis), particularly when excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed over extended periods of time.
• Increased risk of, violence, and other injuries.

For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week. Excessive drinking both in the form of heavy drinking or binge drinking, is associated with numerous health problems, including

• Chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells); pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); various, including liver, mouth, throat, larynx (the voice box), and esophagus; high blood pressure; and psychological disorders.
• Unintentional injuries, such as, falls, drowning, burns, and firearm injuries.
• Violence, such as child maltreatment, homicide, and suicide.
• Harm to a developing fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant, such as,
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Alcohol use disorders.3

There is a strong scientific evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk for, including cancers of the mouth and throat, liver, breast (in women) and colon and rectum, and for some types of cancer, the risk increases even at low levels of alcohol consumption (less than 1 drink in a day).

The evidence indicates that the more alcohol a person drinks, the higher his or her risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer. The risk varies by many factors, such as the quantity of alcohol consumed and type of cancer. The recommends that adults who choose to drink do so in moderation – 1 drink or less on a day for women or 2 drinks or less on a day for men.

However, emerging evidence suggests that even drinking within the recommended limits may increase the overall risk of death from various causes, such as from several types of cancer and some forms of cardiovascular disease.1 According to the 2020–2025 1 some people should not drink alcoholic beverages at all, including:

• If they are pregnant or might be pregnant.
• If they are under the legal age for drinking.
• If they have certain medical conditions or are taking certain medications that can interact with alcohol.
• If they are recovering from an alcohol use disorder or if they are unable to control the amount they drink.

To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms, the Guidelines recommend that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.

The Guidelines also do not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason and that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more.1 By following the Dietary Guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Studies have shown that alcohol use by adolescents and young adults increases the risk of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. Research has also shown that people who use alcohol before age 15 are six times more likely to become alcohol dependent than adults who begin drinking at age 21.

Other consequences of youth alcohol use include increased risky sexual behaviors, poor school performance, and increased risk of suicide and homicide.4, There is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should refrain from drinking alcohol.

Several conditions, including, have been linked to alcohol use during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should also avoid to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and potential exposure of a developing fetus to alcohol.5, Generally, moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages by a woman who is lactating (up to 1 standard drink in a day) is not known to be harmful to the infant, especially if the woman waits at least 2 hours after a single drink before nursing or expressing breast milk.

• Legal limits are measured using either a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer.
• Legal limits are typically defined by state law, and may vary according to individual characteristics, such as age and occupation.

All states in the United States have adopted 0.08% (80 mg/dL) as the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle for drivers aged 21 years or older (except for Utah, which adopted a 0.05% legal limit in 2018). However, drivers younger than 21 are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any level of alcohol in their system.

• Inability to limit drinking.
• Continuing to drink despite personal or professional problems.
• Needing to drink more to get the same effect.
• Wanting a drink so badly you can’t think of anything else.

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal health care provider.

1. US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services.9th ed. Washington, DC: 2020.
2. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism., NIAAA Newsletter.2004;3:3.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Accessed May 30, 2020.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Accessed January 14, 2021.
5. US Department of Health and Human Services., Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2005.
6. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration., Accessed January 14, 2021.
7. Esser MB, Hedden SL, Kanny D, Brewer RD, Gfroerer JC, Naimi TS., Prev Chronic Dis.2014;11:140329.
8. American Psychiatric Association., Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration., Accessed Accessed January 14, 2021.

: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need to drink?

What are the health benefits of water? – Water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight. Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, water:

• Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
• Keeps your temperature normal
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Protects sensitive tissues

Lack of water can lead to dehydration — a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

What to say when you can’t drink alcohol?

18 WAYS TO SAY NO TO ALCOHOL – If you’re going to be in a situation where you’re likely to be offered alcohol, arm yourself with statements you can use to make it crystal clear that you don’t want to drink. This is especially important when simply saying, “No, thank you” isn’t enough.

What excuse can I use for not drinking when pregnant?

Photo: iStockPhoto If you are between the ages of 22 and 42 and not drinking at a social gathering, people will presume that you are pregnant. And sometimes you might be. Or you might be waiting to find out if you are pregnant. Or trying to conceive, And maybe you don’t feel like sharing your latest reproductive news with everyone around you.

1. As such, I’ve come up with a list of handy excuses you can use should you find yourself ordering a club soda when everyone else is sharing a bottle of something much tastier.1.
2. You are on antibiotics How this works: This one is a classic for a reason.
3. The key is to have very specific details about why you are on medication.

Do some research and know your symptoms. Good reasons include a UTI (you are probably running to the bathroom anyway), strep throat (be prepared to feign throat pain) or an infected cut on a body part that isn’t easily visible (this one will require a backstory, so it’s only recommended for very creative types).

Potential obstacles: If you use this excuse regularly around people you see a lot, your condition will get severe pretty quickly. A UTI can only go so long before you will need to be hospitalized in order to treat your antibiotic-resistant infection. Same with your infected cut. Eventually they will need to amputate.2.

You’re observing lent How this works: You are giving up drinking for lent. When you give this excuse, you look faithful at best and sanctimonious at worst. No one is going to challenge you for your religious practices. Potential obstacles: This only works for about six weeks between the months of February and April.

Maybe you can stretch it out if you are around people who don’t celebrate Easter. Also, this will be very hard to pull off if you are not Christian. Maybe you will be able to pull off “Jewish lent” or lent for whatever other religion you practice, but you will need some pretty gullible friends who don’t really read or watch much TV.3.

You have a bet going How this works: Say that you and your partner made a bet that the other couldn’t quit drinking for a certain number of weeks. This works best if you and your partner are hypercompetitive and frequent gamblers. Potential obstacles: If neither of you is a very big drinker, get ready to tell your friends some crazy stories about secret nights of debauchery in order to explain what triggered the supposed bet.

1. And make sure your partner is on board.4.
2. You are super sick How this works: This only works well if you have extreme morning (read: all-day) sickness, if you are an excellent actor, or if you’ve had Ferris Bueller-level practice faking sick as a child, as this is hard to keep up for an entire evening.

Potential obstacles: It begs the question: Why are you even there to begin with? What kind of inconsiderate jerk are you for exposing the rest of us? No one will want to sit next to you, that’s for sure 5. You’ve started a clean eating diet How this works: It’s totally on-trend.

Just start talking about your fitness level or energy level or inflammation, and how it can all be linked back to eating the wrong foods. You can stop talking about your “health reset” as soon as your friends’ eyes start to glaze over (which typically takes 30 to 45 seconds). People will be too ashamed of their own bad habits to argue about whether this is an idiotic idea.

Potential obstacles: Use this one only if you are desperate because you will be expected to give up everything good—carbs, sugar, dairy. It’s just not worth it. Also, your normal friends will be too afraid to speak up, but they will judge you and will probably talk about you behind your back.6.

• You’re hung over How this works: Tell your friends that you got really wasted the night before (or that afternoon) and can’t even smell alcohol, let alone contemplate drinking it.
• Potential obstacles: This is not a good one to use around you in-laws or boss.
• Also, if you use this one too regularly, people might start to worry about you,7.

You’re prepping for a blood test How this works: I don’t know if you ever need to abstain from alcohol before a blood test, but it sounds super-plausible (as long as you aren’t hanging out with medical professionals). Potential obstacles: Don’t volunteer any information other than “blood test.” Be prepared to dodge follow-up questions about the nature of the test.8.

• You’re trying to save money How this works: Tell your friends that you are saving up for a house.
• Have a house? Maybe you are saving up for a trip.
• Or a pony.
• Or a house for the pony.
• Potential obstacles: This might work, but it also runs the risk of making you look cheap (we all have expenses).
• Also, your friends might insist on paying for your drinks and then you’ll feel douchey (unless you actually are cheap) and you’ll have the drinks to get rid of.9.

You drove How this works: You came straight from work. Your Uber rating is really, really bad. You need to run an errand on the way home. Potential obstacles: Because most people can have one drink and still drive, you might need a backstory, like you already had a drink after work.

If the event in question is immediately after work, then you’ll need to use the very plausible excuse of having had a drink during work. Channel your inner Don Draper and own it.10. You’re training for an athletic event How this works: I have friends who actually do stop drinking when they are training for stuff.

This is a thing! Potential obstacles: It is very important for you to choose an event that is real (thanks a lot, Google) and for the event to be far enough in the future that you will not actually be forced to participate (i.e., by the time the “event” comes up, you will be openly pregnant).