HOW TO BE A HEALTHIER DRINKER

The science is clear: from a health perspective, the less you drink, the better. But alcohol is a cornerstone of nearly every personal and professional gathering, so you may not always want to abstain.

- ANGELA HAUPT

Nor do you always have to Most people can make drinking in moderation that's no more than two drinks per day for men, and one per day for women part of a healthy lifestyle in a variety of ways, experts say.

First, take a serious look at your drinking habits. Be honest: Have you, now or in the past, had a problem with alcohol? If so, talk to your primary-care doctor or search online for an addiction-medicine specialist. "Not only is this a disease, but it's a disease for which we have medications that work well," says Dr. Aakash Shah, chief of addiction medicine at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey.