How to drink sensibly and know your limit
Drinking sensibly starts with knowing what one drink is: a 12-ounce regular beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits. Current national guidance sets no safe daily amount and says drinking less is better for health. Set a number before you go out, eat first, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking.
About 15 minutes to learnSafety critical: tightly scoped, know when to call a professional
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How to do it
- Learn the standard drink sizes, and remember a strong craft beer or a large pour counts as more than one.
- Decide your limit before you start and tell a friend.
- Eat a proper meal before and while drinking.
- Pace yourself to no more than one drink an hour, with a glass of water between drinks.
- Plan the ride home before the first drink: a sober driver, a taxi or transit.
- Keep an eye on friends, and never leave someone who is very drunk alone.
- Take several alcohol-free days each week.
- Notice if you drink to cope with stress or cannot stop at your limit, and talk to someone about it.
Stop and call a professional if
- Someone is confused, vomiting repeatedly, has slow or irregular breathing, blue or pale skin, a seizure or cannot be woken: call 911, turn them on their side and stay with them.
- You or a friend want help cutting back: talk to a doctor, or call the national helpline for substance use at 1-800-662-4357, free and confidential.
- Drinking comes with thoughts of self-harm: call or text 988.
- Take a certified class in first aid: this page names danger signs, it does not train you in the recovery position.
Common mistakes
- Counting glasses instead of standard drinks.
- Drinking fast on an empty stomach.
- Thinking coffee or a cold shower sobers someone up; only time does.
- Letting a very drunk person sleep it off alone on their back.
Quick self-check
Three questions. Your last score is kept in this browser.
Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to drink sensibly and know your limit
What to say
Drinking sensibly starts with knowing what one drink is: a 12-ounce regular beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits. Current national guidance sets no safe daily amount and says drinking less is better for health. Set a number before you go out, eat first, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking.
What to show, in order
- Learn the standard drink sizes, and remember a strong craft beer or a large pour counts as more than one.
- Decide your limit before you start and tell a friend.
- Eat a proper meal before and while drinking.
- Pace yourself to no more than one drink an hour, with a glass of water between drinks.
- Plan the ride home before the first drink: a sober driver, a taxi or transit.
- Keep an eye on friends, and never leave someone who is very drunk alone.
- Take several alcohol-free days each week.
- Notice if you drink to cope with stress or cannot stop at your limit, and talk to someone about it.
When to stop and call a professional
- Someone is confused, vomiting repeatedly, has slow or irregular breathing, blue or pale skin, a seizure or cannot be woken: call 911, turn them on their side and stay with them.
- You or a friend want help cutting back: talk to a doctor, or call the national helpline for substance use at 1-800-662-4357, free and confidential.
- Drinking comes with thoughts of self-harm: call or text 988.
- Take a certified class in first aid: this page names danger signs, it does not train you in the recovery position.
The check question
Ask: Which counts as one standard drink?
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- Every skill in Health and Body Upkeep
Words on this page
Sources
- National dietary guidelines, 2025 to 2030 edition. Checked September 28, 2026.
Last reviewed . First published .