Every student has to make decisions about their substance use, and we want to help you make choices that enhance your health and wellbeing. If your use has become chronic or excessive, it may affect your academics, relationships, athletic performance, and/or mental and physical health. We can help you gain knowledge and develop skills to make good decisions about your use and to minimize risks to your wellbeing.
What is a drink? What is a BAC? How can I avoid a hangover or blacking out?
On average, a person can break down one standard drink per hour. This can vary based on a person’s sex and other factors. Alcohol is broken down by an alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the liver. The amount of alcohol that a person has in their bloodstream is their blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
The size of a standard drink depends upon the type of beverage:
Distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin, tequila, etc.) = 1–1.5 oz.
Wine = 4-5 oz.
Malt Liquor = 8–9 oz.
Beer = 12 oz.
There are many ways to avoid the negative consequences of alcohol, if you choose to drink. It’s important to remember that how alcohol impacts a person can be influenced by medication they are taking, if they are using other drugs, and a person’s menstrual cycle, among other factors. Here are some tips to avoid some of the most common negative consequences:
Biphasic Response
The more and faster you drink, the less you will experience any pleasant effects of alcohol and the more you will feel the negative effects. This is known as the biphasic response.
To see how strong a particular drink is and what effect it can have on you, use this blood alcohol content calculator.
Resources
There are a number of resources to learn more about alcohol and the effects it can have on your health and wellbeing:
As Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) increases, so does impairment.
.31 – .45% BAC = Life-Threatening
.16 – .30% BAC = Severe Impairment
.06 – .15% BAC = Increased Impairment
0 – .05% = Mild Impairment
What are the signs that someone may have had too much to drink or used too much of a drug?
If you are concerned that someone may have alcohol poisoning or be experiencing a drug overdose it is important to contact ACEMS immediately.
Some of the signs of alcohol poisoning include:
What should I do if I am worried about my or my friend’s use of alcohol or other drugs?
Some signs that someone might have an issue with alcohol or other drugs include:
Resources