Strategies to Stay in the Blue

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Stay in the Blue to help you get what you want while avoiding the stuff you don't want by keeping your blood alcohol content (BAC) at .06 or below. 

Stay in the Blue with these strategies: 

  • Count your drinks
  • Set a drink limit using standard drinks
  • Eat immediately before and while drinking, especially foods high in protein and/or fat
  • Measure your own drinks, e.g. by using a 1.5 oz shot glass for liquor, pour a red Solo cup 1/3 for wine (5 oz)  and 3/4 full for beer (12 oz)
  • Use 1/2 shot of liquor in a mixed drink or when drinking shots
  • If you play drinking games, set personal limits (e.g. fill beer pong cups 1/3 full, set a maximum number of standard drinks or game rounds)
  • Dilute alcohol with non-carbonated mixers
  • Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  • Drink water throughout the event
  • Space out your drinks; if it normally takes 10 minutes to finish a beer, try taking 20 minutes
  • Pace your drinking to a slower drinker with you
  • Drink a look-alike beverage when you want to slow down or not drink at all (e.g. ginger ale, soda water with lime)
  • Go out later or leave earlier from events
  • Choose not to drink on risky occasions
  • Use a buddy system; tell a friend your limit and encourage him/her to help you stick to it
  • Be prepared with reasons to refuse drinks when you’ve had enough or you’re not drinking

Avoid these to Stay in the Blue:

  • Drinking from open containers (punch bowls, Igloo containers, etc.)
  • Beer bongs or playing other drinking games focused on getting drunk
  • Liquor
  • Mixing alcohol with stimulants (e.g. Ritalin or Red Bull) or depressants (e.g. Valium or Ativan); check with your doctor before drinking while taking any prescription medications, and check package warnings about drinking while taking over-the-counter medications
  • Pre-gaming
  • Driving after drinking
  • Drinking when tired

Tools to help moderate drinking:

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