Alcohol 101

The rules that are not jokes

• 21 and over, in the US.
• Never drive after drinking. Plan the ride home before the first drink.
• Eat first. Alternate with water.
• You can always say no, switch to a soda, or leave. Anyone who pushes is not your friend.
• Don't mix with medications without checking the label or asking a pharmacist. Never with sleeping pills or opioids.

What "one drink" means

A US standard drink is any of these:

• 12 oz of regular beer (about 5%)
• 5 oz of wine (about 12%)
• 1.5 oz of liquor (about 40%), one shot

A pint of strong IPA or a heavy-pour cocktail can be closer to two.

Source: NIAAA, "What Is a Standard Drink?"

Pacing

Your tolerance is zero. Plan on one drink and wait an hour before deciding on a second. Sweet cocktails hide the alcohol, which is exactly why they are dangerous for beginners.

Binge drinking is roughly 4 or more drinks for women, or 5 or more for men, in about two hours. Don't let your first night out be that.

Ordering without panic

Lager

Light and crisp. A safe first beer.

IPA

Bitter and often stronger. An acquired taste you do not have to acquire.

Wine

If you like sweet, ask for "something not too dry." Nobody will laugh.

Cocktail

Tell the bartender what you like: sweet, sour, fruity. That is literally their job.

Mocktail / NA beer

Real options. Nobody is checking.

If someone has had too much

Confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, or someone you cannot wake up are signs of alcohol poisoning. Call 911. Don't leave them to "sleep it off," and turn them on their side.