This article was co-authored by Brett Baughman
and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls
. Brett Baughman is a Business & Life Coach, as well as the Founder of The Brett Baughman Companies, Inc., and the renowned Action Mastery retreats. With over 20 years of experience, his specialty is helping high-performing executives and entrepreneurs to advance to the next level of success. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University and was mentored by Tad James. During his work at the Tad James Company, he earned his certifications as a Master NLP Coach (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), a Certified Master Hypnotherapist, an NLP Trainer & Master Practitioner, and a Time Line Therapy Trainer & Master Practitioner. He’s also been voted the Top Coach to work with by Apple News.
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Going out for drinks is a fun way to kick back and relax, but these outings can have unexpected consequences if you start sending a lot of drunk texts. These texts can lead to a lot of future regret, especially if you start messaging an ex-partner . Before you plan on getting drunk, make a game plan for yourself so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about having to apologize for any embarrassing texts the next morning.
Things You Should Know
- The only sure-fire way to prevent drunk texting is to drink in moderation and avoid getting drunk altogether.
- You can use app blocker apps on your phone to prevent you from accessing messaging and social media apps while you are out drinking.
- You can also try turning on Airplane mode, renaming or removing your contacts, or leaving your phone at home or with a friend.
Steps
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Set a drink limit for yourself when you plan on going out. Think about how many drinks usually gets you tipsy, and when you usually cross into the “drunk” threshold. Try limiting yourself so you only get tipsy, but not blacked out. If you don’t get that drunk , you won’t be as likely to spend drunk texts. [1] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- For instance, if you usually get tipsy after 2 glasses of wine, choose that as your limit when you go out.
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Download an app that keeps you from sending texts or accessing certain apps. Search the App Store on iPhone or the Google Play Store on Android for apps that block certain apps. Most of these apps are designed to improve productivity by blocking distracting apps. However, you can also use them to block your text messaging apps and social media before you start drinking.
- Try out “Drunk Mode Keyboard.” This is a free keyboard app that prevents you from sending unwanted messages when you are drunk. It is only available for iPhone and iPad. [2] X Research source
- If you are an iPhone user, you can use the built-in Screen Time feature to set limits on the apps you can use or activate Downtime to block apps, calls, and messages for a set time.
- AppBlock is a free app that is available for iPhone and Android devices that allows you to block apps to improve productivity. You can also use it to block texting and social media apps before you go out drinking.
- Lock Me Out is another free app for Android that allows you to block specific apps in order to improve productivity. You can also use it to block messaging apps before a night of drinking.
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Check if you’re too drunk to text using the Virtual Bar app. Download “Virtual Bar,” an app that asks you to submit your basic height and weight information, as well as how much you’ve had to drink so far. If your blood alcohol levels are definitely in the “drunk” range, don’t send any texts. [3] X Research source
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Use an app to determine your blood/alcohol level. BACTrack is a product you can purchase that comes with a breathalyzer that you attach to your phone. Other apps, such as AlcCalc (Android), AlcoCalc (iPhone), and Alcohol BAC Calculator (iPhone & Android), allow you to input the drinks that you have had, along with your age and weight to calculate your BAC. If you are legally drunk, don't send any texts. [4] X Research source
- You can also check your blood alcohol levels here: https://www.alcohol.org/bac-calculator .
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Turn your phone on airplane mode so you aren’t tempted to text. Go into your phone’s settings and activate airplane mode , which shuts off your phone’s WiFi and cellular service. Keep your phone in airplane mode for the entire night so you’re physically unable to send any drunk texts. [5] X Research source
- Only do this if you’re going out with friends, or are with someone who can take care of you. If you’re out by yourself, you’ll need a way to get a ride home.
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Delete contacts that you don’t want to call or text while you’re drunk. Look through your contact list for people you don’t want to drunk text, like your parents, co-workers, or an ex-partner. Write down their numbers on a separate sheet of paper, then temporarily delete their contacts from your phone. Once you’re sober again, put their information back into your contacts . [6] X Research source
- This might be a good opportunity to delete people from your phone permanently , like an ex-partner or ex-friend.
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Rename your contacts so you won’t be as likely to text them. Give your contacts really silly names, so you’ll be too confused to text anyone. As an extra challenge, ask a friend to change your contact names so you have no idea who is who. On a separate sheet of paper, write down who is who so you can switch the contact names back to normal when you’re sober. [7] X Research source
- For instance, you can give your contacts silly food names like “Banana Split” or “Strawberry Ice Cream.”
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Set an old drunk text as your wallpaper to serve as a reminder. Take a screenshot of a drunk text that you really regret sending. Go to your phone settings and set the picture as a custom wallpaper. Throughout the night, look at your lock screen as a quick reminder of why drunk texting is a bad idea. [8] X Research source
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Send messages on Facebook Messenger instead of texting. This may not be any better than sending a drunk text, but Facebook Messenger allows you to unsend messages you regret sending. Not all text messaging apps allow you to do this. Just make sure you get to the message before the other person sees it.
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Give your phone to a friend so you can’t use it. Ask your friend if you can slide your phone into their bag for the night. Tell them to keep your phone safe and not give it to you, no matter how many times you ask. Once you’re headed home, your friend can give you your phone back. [9] X Research source
- If you’re spending the night with a friend, ask them to give it back to you in the morning.
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Ask a responsible friend to keep an eye on you. Sit down with one of your more responsible friends, or whoever is the chosen designated driver for the night. See if they’d be willing to keep an eye on you, especially your texting habits. Ask if your friend would be willing to check in a few times each night, and intervene if they see you trying to text someone. [10] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- The saying “out of sight, out of mind” can also apply to drunk texting. Turning off your phone or leaving it at home when you go out may solve your drunk texting problems.Thanks
- Express your true feelings when you’re sober. If your feelings are significant enough to share while you’re drunk, it won’t hurt to wait a few hours until you can gather your thoughts.Thanks
- If sending embarrassing texts or engaging in other embarrassing behavior is a frequent occurrence, you may want to consider quitting alcohol altogether .Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/tips-on-cutting-down-alcohol/
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/apps-to-help-you-avoid-drinking-and--texting/2015/12/21/4308841c-96d2-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html
- ↑ https://www.responsibility.org/how-to-end-drunk-texting/
- ↑ https://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/12092-Alcohoot-Turns-Your-Phone-Into-a-Breathalyzer#
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-stop-texting-your-ex-2018-4
- ↑ https://preen.ph/65514/this-is-how-you-can-avoid-drunk-texting-your-ex
- ↑ https://thetab.com/uk/sheffield/2018/01/16/how-to-avoid-drunk-texting-that-person-you-really-dont-want-to-drunk-text-28708
- ↑ https://thetab.com/uk/sheffield/2018/01/16/how-to-avoid-drunk-texting-that-person-you-really-dont-want-to-drunk-text-28708
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-stop-texting-your-ex-2018-4