Alternate alcohol with water
Follow each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or another non-alcoholic drink to slow your pace.
- How often
- As needed
- Time
- While drinking
- Recommended for
- 3 factors
How to do it
- After each alcoholic drink, have a full glass of water or another non-alcoholic drink before the next one.
- Order the water at the same time as the drink so it is already in front of you.
- Choose smaller servings or lower-strength drinks, and check the alcohol content on the label.
- Set a limit before you start and count your drinks as you go.
Why it helps
Alcohol makes you urinate more, which leads to mild dehydration. That contributes to thirst, fatigue and headache. Alternating with water also slows how much and how fast you drink, which is what actually lowers risk. No remedy cures a hangover. The only reliable way to avoid one is to drink less or not at all.
Be careful
Water does not sober you up or make it safe to drive. If you find it hard to stick to the limits you set, SAMHSA's free, confidential helpline is open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.