Which of the following is a harm minimisation strategy for drinking?

• A. Drink as quickly as possible
• B. Keep count of your standard drinks
• C. Drive home after drinking
• D. Ignore your limit

Answer: (B)

Harm minimisation in drinking is about taking practical steps to reduce health and safety risks, rather than aiming to drink without limits or binge. Keeping count of your standard drinks helps you manage how much you’re consuming, so you can pace yourself, stop before you reach a level you’re uncomfortable with, and stretch drinks out over time. Knowing your intake also makes it easier to stay within safer limits, avoid heavy intoxication, and keep your judgment and coordination better protected. In contrast, trying to drink as quickly as possible speeds up intoxication, increasing the risk of accidents, poor decisions, and harm; driving after drinking is dangerous and unsafe; and ignoring your limit makes adverse effects more likely. So counting standard drinks is a practical, everyday way to reduce potential harm.