The idea of a hangover cure is, honestly, a bit misleading. In the same way that the smartest gamble is not to wager anything, the best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink. But if you want to drink, it is possible to reduce the risk of a hangover and take the appropriate steps to beat one back before it knocks you down. Print this out and keep it in your wallet or purse. You’ll thank me later.

1. Eat first: Never, ever, ever drink on an empty stomach. Never. Never ever. Ideally, you’d pack in a full and balanced meal before hitting the bar to start soaking up the alcohol, but the least you can do is put some grub in your stomach. A full stomach impedes the flow of alcohol into the bloodstream. If you remember nothing else, remember to eat before you drink, or at the very least as you start to drink. Always.
2. Hydrate before: You know why you urinate so much when you’re out drinking? It’s not because you’re taking in more liquid than normal; it’s because that liquid is a diuretic. For anyone who slept through biology, a diuretic increases the quantity and frequency of urination. You’re literally drying out your body. As a result, it’s important to make sure ahead of time that you’re well hydrated and can handle the diuretic effects of the booze. Hence, drink before you drink.
3. Skip coffee: Some people swear by a cup of black coffee after they drink, even before going to bed. Those people are crazy, and wrong. Coffee is packed with caffeine, which is another diuretic. It might sound or smell like just the thing you need to get a little post-boozing clarity, but you’ll just be compounding the effects of the dehydration you’ve already put your body through all night.
4. Stock up on Ibuprofen or Aspirin: When you’re buying a headache medicine — something you should ideally do before drinking — you’ll likely be faced with a choice between Ibuprofen and Acetominophen. They probably sound the same, but they’re not. Acetominophen can have a negative effect when combined with alcohol; regular drinkers can’t take as much of it as non-drinkers, and in rare cases the pill can lead to liver damage. Stick with Ibuprofen and Aspirin and be safe. Another tip: Wait to take the pills until the following morning, when the alcohol is out of your system.
5. Rest up: A great way to fight a hangover is to sleep as much as possible. It is, of course, not advised that you call in sick and tell your boss you need to go back to bed to deal with a hangover, since employers tend to frown on such excuses. Your best bet: do your partying on the weekend, when you know you can sleep as much as possible the next morning and give your body the ability to recuperate.
6. Understand what you’re drinking: Alcoholic drinks can contain congeners, substances that are produced during fermentation and contribute to a drink’s color. Typically, darker drinks have more congeners than lighter ones, and therefore might give you a worse hangover. Go for lighter drinks, and avoid the cheap stuff, if you want to do your part to avoid a hangover.
7. Hydrate after: When you’re done drinking for the night, go right back to the beginning and drink some more water. Hydrating before the evening starts is a smart way to counter the effects of drinking, and you can add to the positive effects by downing a giant glass of water as soon as you get home. It will replenish your body, which is still being drained by the remnants of the booze in your system.
8. Avoid the hair of the dog: A popular hangover cure is to take a drink upon waking of whatever alcoholic beverage you were consuming the night before. People claim this has a lessening effect on the hangover, but they’re wrong: it just prolongs the buzz, puts alcohol back in your system (and on an empty stomach), and generally prolongs the period you have to wait until you feel better. When you wake up, no matter how much you want to or even think you need to, don’t go back to drinking. You’re done for a bit.
9. Take your vitamins: If you haven’t been taking your vitamins, your hangovers are probably more intense than usual. Particularly, low levels of vitamin B6 and B12 can make that morning-after headache extra-excruciating. When you’re chowing down on a greasy meal, work in those two vitamins and your chances of a speedy recovery will increase. Of course, B6 and B12 should be taken on a regular basis to ensure all-around good health.
10. Take a shot of wheatgrass juice: Chase away last night’s shots with a shot of wheatgrass juice. The natural detoxifier will cleanse your liver while assisting with the elimination of waste. In order to mask the not-so-pleasant taste, have a glass of water or juice on standby, or purchase it in powder form and mix it into a drink. Wheatgrass juice can be purchased at your local health food store.