Alcohol is unlikely to harm your health if you drink only small amounts and avoid drinking every day. Steps to get the best out of drinking and avoid problems include:
- Keeping to the recommended weekly intake
- Aiming for 1 or 2 (even 3) alcohol-free days a week
- Drinking slowly instead of gulping
- Alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks
- Experimenting with low alcohol or alcohol-free drinks
- Not drinking on an empty stomach
- Not drinking by yourself when you are unhappy or morose
- Not having ‘one for the road’
- Not drinking to relieve anxiety, tension depression or loneliness
- Not keeping your home stocked with alcohol
Five ways to make a success of not drinking, even if you’re sober-curious
- Be clear about why you’re abstaining
- Embrace sober firsts
- Plan your alcohol substitutions
- Don’t apologise for not drinking
- Share your experience with friends
