Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)

TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) is a training program for servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol. The skills-based program provides participants with the knowledge to recognize potential alcohol-related problems, and the confidence to intervene to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking. TIPS provides programming specific to different venues, including restaurants and bars, liquor and grocery stores, concessions, casinos, universities, and the workplace. TIPS sessions are administered through certified TIPS Trainers, or through the eTIPS self-paced online training program. Sessions include education and skills training followed by practice and rehearsal of newly acquired skills. Participants who pass the closing exam receive a three year certification card.

The goal of TIPS is to train alcohol providers to recognize and prevent over consumption of alcohol.

TIPS has trained over 2 million servers worldwide. In one study researchers attempted to become intoxicated in establishments where half of the servers had received TIPS training. None of the researchers served by TIPS-trained servers become intoxicated, while nearly 50% of those served by non-TIPS-trained servers reached a BAC of 0.10, above the legal limit for driving. In specific case studies, TIPS training has reduced drunken driving arrests, and decreased insurance costs and legal liability claims for establishments.