How to Handle a Drunk Friend

The combination of socializing with your friends and drinking is a popular form of entertainment. Getting drunk is typically a major side effect of too much libation, which affects each person differently. Whether or not you are drinking yourself, you may have to handle a drunk friend.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Recognize your friend's inclination to relinquish his or her grip on sobriety, and prepare yourself. Know what he is drinking and the different effects liquor or beer has on his system.

2. Discern her ranking—meaning is she a lightweight or could she go toe-to-toe with Hemingway? Consider how much she has consumed and how long it takes for her to get to the point of no return.

3. Keep tabs on his tab. Being a good friend means not taking advantage of someone opening his wallet to fulfill your own thirst.

4. Switch it up. Bring her a glass of water or a soda every so often to dilute or slow the effects of alcohol.

5. Catch him before he drunk dials. As much fun as it is to watch your friend embarrass himself, allowing a regrettable move can make you look like the jerk later.

6. Confront her when she's had too much—or even just enough. Cutting a friend off is a great way to save on the embarrassment of the Technicolor yawn, a black eye or potential abuse later. It could also mean the difference between a bad night and a night in the emergency room.