Adults who drink responsibly have few alcohol-related problems in their life. Even adults who drink responsibly will occasionally overindulge in alcohol. An occasional Bacchanalia should not cause much concern. What a person needs to know is when it is time for him to stop. The person who drinks too much may not realize his inebriated condition. One of the known effects of alcohol is that it impairs judgment. Preventing someone from getting behind the wheel while drunk often requires someone else to intervene on his behalf.

One way a person can know if he’s had too much is by setting a drink limit. This limit should be small, around 2-3 drinks. When a person goes over this limit, he should call a cab. Another way to stay safe, for a person who can afford the technology, is to use a portable breathalyzer. A portable breathalyzer lets a person carry a device in their pocket. When a person is ready to go home, he takes out portable breathalyzer and breathes into it. The reading will let him know his blood alcohol level. These devices are not as accurate as the devices police use to determine if someone is driving while intoxicated.

There are times when there are obvious signs of inebriation. Slurred speech and a decline in motor skills are universally recognized signs. Friends and family members need to make sure someone stops drinking before he reaches this stage. The concern is understandable, but stopping someone in time is not always possible. A friend or family member who has severely abused alcohol on more than one occasion should find a way to seek help. If he cannot find a way to stop drinking on his own, other people may need to do it for him. The intervention process is not fun for anyone, but it is necessary.