• Do not drive, no excuses.
• Avoid sex or situations that may lead to sex.
• Know the different effects of various levels of intoxication.
• Carry "slush money" and only use it for getting a taxi home if you need to. If you doubt your ability to hang on to your cash, consider handing this money over to the care of your "safety person" (see previous page).
• Keep track of how much you drink and know what is considered a "safe" amount based on your age, weight and experience with alcohol. In other words, know your limit and stick to it!
• Understand that you may not be able to drink the same amount as your buddy. There are differences in the way that individuals tolerate alcohol. Don't worry about "keeping up".
• In your wallet next to your ID carry a note with essential emergency medical information like; your medical insurance number, any allergies you suffer from, any medical conditions you have, your parents names and phone number(s), your full name and age, and the names and phone numbers of the people you went to the party with. Make sure that somebody who is sober knows that you have this note in your wallet. Clearly label the note "medical information".
• Give your friends advance permission to "tell all" about what you have ingested in the event that you pass out or need medical attention. Too often teens are afraid to get their friends in trouble and as a result do not fully disclose information that could save their life. Avoid this by telling your friends that it is OK to tell what you have had to drink if it looks like you need help or if a medical professional or police officer is asking.
• Try to stick with one type of alcohol, mixing drinks can cause you to get drunker than you intended to or can cause negative reactions in your body.
• Bring your own alcohol and when it is gone don't drink any other alcoholic beverages. This allows you to set your limit when you are sober and your judgement is not impaired.
• Don't accept alcohol from strangers or from people you do not know very well.
• Don't put your drink down or leave it unguarded. If you do you stand the risk of having somebody "slip a mickey" in your drink. The bigger the party, the more firm you should hold to this rule.
• If you have an open relationship with your parents, consider letting them know that you plan to be drinking. If you aren't able to talk to them about things like this, consider telling an older sibling or other older relative.
• Set a code question up with friends in advance that you will each use to make sure the others are OK. Use it when you think that a friend may be in a situation that they don't want to be in. Make sure the question is not one that you are likely to use but that won't seem out of place to others. Something like, "Are you in the mood for some chocolate?", with "yes" meaning "Yes get me out of here!", and "no" meaning "No, everything is fine.".
• If you are feeling depressed opt not to drink this time. There is nothing wrong with staying sober, even if most of your friends will be drinking.
• Take comfort in the reality that most teens who drink do not get in to any major trouble. The worst things that happens to most teens who drink are getting a hang over and having a few regrets.

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