12 Ways to Prevent Drunk Texting

The best ways to keep your pals from seeing your regrettable drunk texts

Co-authored by Brett Baughman and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: September 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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.

1

Decide on a drink limit.

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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]
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- For instance, if you usually get tipsy after 2 glasses of wine, choose that as your limit when you go out.

2

Use an app blocking app.

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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]
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- 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.

3

Use the Virtual Bar app.

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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]
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4

Use a BAC calculator app.

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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]
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- You can also check your blood alcohol levels here: https://www.alcohol.org/bac-calculator.

5

Enable airplane mode to disable texts.

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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]
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- 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.

6

Remove contacts you may text.

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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]
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- This might be a good opportunity to delete people from your phone permanently, like an ex-partner or ex-friend.

7

Rename specific contacts.

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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]
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- For instance, you can give your contacts silly food names like “Banana Split” or “Strawberry Ice Cream.”

8

Set a regrettable text as your wallpaper.

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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]
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9

Use Facebook Messenger instead

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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.

10

Leave your phone at home.

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Leave your phone at home when you go out for a night on the town. If you don't have access to your phone, you won't be able to send any text messages.
- If you go out without your phone, you may want to go out with someone who has a phone so that you can call someone if there is an emergency.

11

Let a friend hold your phone.

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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]
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- If you’re spending the night with a friend, ask them to give it back to you in the morning.

12

Ask a friend to watch you.

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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]
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Tips

If sending embarrassing texts or engaging in other embarrassing behavior is a frequent occurrence, you may want to consider quitting alcohol altogether.

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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.

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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.

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