...drinking of course!
For me, if I lose count of my drinks I have to stop drinking. Of course, I have a math degree so maybe I'm cheating:)
What's your method?

When I begin to feel good.

I don't know when to stop and I'm an angry drunk so i don't drink at all.

I won't drink anything that you can't smoke.

When my gums start to tingle and feel numb.

I know not to start :].

Apparently I need to drink a few more beers tonight to help you guys out:)

Gave up drinking (alcoholic beverages) so many years ago I forget when. Wait - maybe thats a problem.

I stop when there isn't any alcohol and/or money left.
Good thing that there's a shortage of money on my side, then.

well, it's quite odd that this thread was posted almost exactly as i came home from the annual "one island dedicated to getting drunk people to flock around for a weekend", and i thought, what the hell was the point of my post?!?!
but seriously, to feel on the safe side, i only drink beers(when I want to be one the safe side), because it makes me more lazy than drunk. Vodka, Gin, rum or whiskey on the other hand turns me into an disgusting annoying, annoying person.
so... stay safe kids... drink beers! ............ and smoke the occasional stick to keep things in perspective :p
** i was watching David Attenborough documentaries when i wrote this, so any deliciously farfetched language is because of him** :p

Running out of alcohol is the only good excuse. . . And I did dammit.

When it gets to the point that I am getting belligerent, and about to yell at people for no good reason I decide "ok just another six pack and then I'm done for the night".

That always makes for a fun realization the next morning. "Why do I feel so horrible, I only drank..."... look at bottle... "oh."

Kudos to you! I would likely fall in the same boat, so I don't drink due to that and I can't get past the foul taste of alcoholic beverages. Lucky me. ;)

If all you're trying is some nasty American beer then that's your problem (American microbrews are fine, some even fantastic). With all the beer in the world I guarantee there's quite a few that would grow on you.
As far as liquor goes, quit drinking well drinks (the cheap stuff), either get a pure shot of something really good or order a few "girl drinks", they normally don't taste nearly as much like alcohol.
There's always the wine route... ah who am I kidding? Wine is gross (yes, I know I'm uncultured) :)
Most folks in your boat tend to get there as they have had a religious upbringing that forbade alcohol. There's nothing wrong with not drinking as an adult, but sometimes professionally it can help if you're able to drink a beer with the boss or the client. So, it's not all about liver damage for the sake of fun (but the fun part is... well, fun too!). If you decide you want to "enjoy" alcohol it might take some effort on your part to find something that doesn't repulse you at first, then you can try some more out there stuff (start with beer if you can't decide - few people look down on anyone who orders a decent tap beer).