How To Reduce Binge Drinking In College

It is crucial to know how to reduce binge drinking in college. Drinking itself is a common aspect to just about every social gathering on campus, but binge drinking is where this habit becomes problematic. Not just for the obvious long-term physical and mental consequences, but simply because binge drinking makes it hard to remember conversations, events, or people. It also, of course, makes you do things you regret. If you learn how to reduce binge drinking in college, you won't cheat yourself out of all the good experiences you will otherwise have. It's not a question of whether you drink, it's a question of how. To reduce binge drinking, you just need to change your drinking habits. Here's what you need to change: 

1. Pregaming. Pregaming is a little ridiculous in the first place, because you're usually drinking before you go some other place to drink more. A lot of people get drunk while they pregame. Don't do this anymore. Try bringing your drinks to the venue itself instead of drinking them before. Not only will people like you because you won't look like a mooch, they will also know you when you're sober before you get drunk. If you really want to still pregame, try drinking slower. Don't pound three beers at nine. Start drinking at six and have one beer per hour. Your rate of intake makes a huge difference in your night. Try not to drink more than two or three drinks an hour. Ration your drinks. Don't spring for the thirty-rack for a weekend, go for a twelve-pack of higher quality. This will force you to conserve your beers for the weekend, while simultaneously giving you a classier buzz.
2. Drinking Games. To really reduce binge drinking in college, avoid drinking games at all costs. No beer pong, beirut, shotgunning, chugging, civil war, twenty-one cup, flip cup, mushroom, F*** the Dealer, etc. Most of these drinking games aren't very social and will actually make you meet fewer people, because you'll be too busy drinking competitively. If you really want to play drinking games, play games where you can moderate your alcohol intake. Don't play games that are dependent on how much alcohol you drink or how fast you drink it. Kings, or beer pong with water cups, are good compromises because you can drink at your own rate.
3. No Shots. How often have you been minding your own business, having a perfectly good night, until someone whips out the Jose Cuervo? Can you remember any good nights that were marked by a series of shots? Note the word "remember" in that question. Shots are simply night-enders. Avoid hard alcohol at all costs. If you really like your vodka, at least mix it and mix it heavily. One shot in a twelve-ounce cup is the equivalent of one beer. Remember that.
4. Bring a Water Bottle. This is a strategy that is totally under-appreciated. Most parties operate on the idea of drinking while talking to people, right? Well, bring a bottle of water and alternate with that. If you drink half a bottle of water between each alcoholic drink, you will notice that, not only are your nights better, your mornings are, too. You will be more hydrated and less hung-over. You will also still be drinking something at the party. Sometimes, to reduce binge drinking in college, it only takes another kind of beverage to absently sip. There's a big difference between absently sipping a cup of Jungle Juice and absently sipping a bottle of water.
5. Pay Attention to Your Hang-Overs. How bad is the hang-over? That's how bad you just beat up your brain and your body. Your body processes one unit of alcohol (glass of wine, shot, one beer) an hour.  If you successfully reduce binge drinking in college, you will never wake up with a hang-over again. The hang-over is a good gauge to see just how badly you're treating yourself. Now, if you take just a few of these steps to reduce binge drinking in college, it's guaranteed to make a difference. Now, go out and have a good night, not a regrettable or forgettable one.