Drinking Responsibly

If you chose to drink alcohol, it is important to know how to drink responsibly.  Although it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, many minors will still choose to do so.  It is our goal is to inform and educate all students, regardless of age, on responsible alcohol use to reduce negative consequences.

If you choose not to drink alcohol, this information is still valuable as your peers may choose to drink and you need to be prepared.

Knowledge is power so be informed to make healthy choices to remain safe and avoid trouble.

Protective Behaviors

Protective behaviors are behaviors that students should be doing to stay safe!  Below are tips and tools that are non-judgmental, practical, and proactive to empower students in their decisions.

  • Abstain…don't drink alcohol
  • Alternate non-alcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages
  • Avoid drinking games (binge drinking)
  • Choose alternatives both on-campus and off-campus
  • Determine in advance not to exceed a set number of drinks
  • Eat before and/or during drinking
  • Have a friend let you know when you have had enough
  • Keep track of how many drinks being consumed
  • Know what is defined as a standard drink
  • Pace drinks to 1 or fewer per hour
  • Stay with the same group of friends the entire time drinking

Risky Behaviors

21 Shots for Your 21st Birthday

Drinking 21 shots of alcohol in one sitting can be life-threatening for anyone. It's dangerous and it can kill you!

The average shot is 1.5 ounces and has at least 30% alcohol. An average person weighing 150 pounds who drinks 21 shots of liquor over 4 hours will have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .42. A BAC of .30 can lead to complete unconsciousness, depressed or absent reflexes, subnormal body temperature, incontinence, and impairment of circulation and respiration; furthermore, a BAC of .42 can be lethal.

Power Hour

Power Hour involves taking a shot of beer every 60 seconds for one hour.  One shot of beer every 60 seconds in one hour is the equivalent of 7.5 beers.

Pub Crawl

A pub crawl is typically a group of people going from one bar to another consuming large amounts of alcohol.

Alcohol & Energy Drinks

Potential danger comes from mixing a stimulant (caffeine) with a depressant (alcohol). Top reasons why mixing caffeine or energy drinks with alcohol is a really bad idea:

  1. Mixing caffeine and alcohol can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning. Since caffeine makes people feel "less drunk" than they really are, they tend to drink more than they should.
  2. Mixing alcohol and caffeine can make your heart rate and blood pressure rise.
  3. Caffeine can make you feel energetic even if you’re drunk. Why is this dangerous? Because people can be "tricked" into thinking they are alert enough to do things like drive a car, when they really aren't.
  4. Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics, leading to dehydration (and really bad hangovers).
  5. Adding caffeine to alcohol can make drinking alcohol all the more addictive.

Party Hosting

Hosting a party at your home requires some planning and consideration for your neighbors. Here are some quick tips for being a responsible party host:

Before the Party:

  • Invite only people you know.
  • Serve food and non-alcoholic beverages.
  • If you do serve alcohol, obey all laws and do not serve to underage guests.
  • Tell your neighbors you are having a party so they are aware.

During the Party:

  • Stay sober.
  • Don't have an open bar.
  • Don't let guests wander to the neighbors’ yard.

After the Party:

  • Pick up any and all litter.
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