By Mary Peppers

“Can I get you a drink?”
It’s an invitation heard at many parties and gatherings of family and friends.

From a health standpoint, experts say that moderate drinking generally poses few problems for most adults.

Unfortunately, social drinking is often far from moderate — and overusing alcohol is risky for your health and well-being.

If you are ready to cut down on your drinking, try these steps:

• Eat something while drinking so that the alcohol is absorbed more slowly into your system.
• Even if others are drinking alcohol, it’s fine to ask for water, juice or soda. If somebody pressures you to drink, just say you feel better when you drink less — and then steer clear of that person.
• If you do drink alcohol, choose a mixed drink, which is diluted, and sip it slowly. After one drink, switch to a nonalcoholic beverage before accepting a cocktail refill.
• Set a limit for how much you will drink and then count your drinks.
• Know what triggers your desire for a drink — and avoid those situations, people and places. If you tend to drink at home, clear your cupboards of alcohol.