Guidelines for using alcohol responsibly

  • Limit your alcohol use in front of your child. Moderate alcohol consumption is one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
  • Don’t talk about or model drinking as a way to manage stress—for example, don’t say, “Today was terrible. I need some wine!” Instead, demonstrate healthier ways to manage stress, like exercising, talking things over with your partner, or speaking with a mental health professional.
  • Don’t romanticize drinking stories from your youth. If you choose to share that you drank as a teen, be sure to add that it was a mistake and give examples of negative experiences that resulted from it.
  • If hosting a party, provide alcohol-free alternatives and arrange for rides for guests who have been drinking.

 

Raised in a family that misused alcohol and drugs, Danielle is taking steps to create a healthy lifestyle for herself and her son. Watch her message.

Explore other ways to prevent underage drinking: