How do I drink in moderation?

If a person chooses to drink, moderate, or lower-risk drinking, is an approach to consuming alcohol which minimizes negative side effects. Based on your question, you sound concerned that, in social situations, you are drinking more than is recommended. To fully answer your question, it?s best to first take some time to explore the reason(s) this might be happening. Are you stressed and looking to alcohol for relief [2]? Do you feel as if you have trouble stopping drinking once you start? Does alcohol addiction run in your family? If any of these ring true for you, it may be worth exploring your relationship with alcohol further with a counselor or health care provider. However, if social pressure is indeed your primary concern, Reader, a way to reframe that pressure and make it easier to drink in moderation (or in a lower-risk manner [3]) is by realizing that your peers likely drink moderately, if they drink at all. Also, practicing how to casually, yet firmly, say no when turning down offers of alcohol in social situations may help you feel more capable and confident in your choice to use alcohol moderately.