Alcohol

The social aspect of college plays a huge part in a student’s life. Nothing is better then getting together with your friends to blow off some steam after a hectic week of class. One of the joys of being at college is the knowledge that you are an adult now. You can make your own choices, do whatever you want to do at the pace you want to go. Partying at all hours of the night can present much temptation and become a distractions from that homework you should be doing.

Drinking can become a problem as you may find yourself confronted with an unlimited amount of alcohol. Without some self-restraint you may fall victim to the many negative effects of alcohol consumption which have become a major problem among college campuses.

According to statistics found at collegedrinkingprevention.gov the following facts will give you a snapshot of annual high-risk college drinking consequences.

• -1,700 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 died each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes
• - More than 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking
• -About 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall
• -More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem
• -2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove under the influence of alcohol
• -About 11% of college student drinkers report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol
• -31% of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6% for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 month

A lot of misconception about your ability to handle alcohol can lull you into a false sense of security. These facts regarding alcohol myths come from both collegedrinkingprevention.gov and the United States Department of Labor where many more facts about alcohol impairment can be found. Knowing the facts about the negative effects alcohol has on you could help save your life.

Myth: Alcohol is a stimulant.

• Fact: Alcohol is a depressant. It acts on the central nervous system like an anesthetic to lower or depress the activity of the brain.

Myth: Drinking isn’t at all dangerous.

• Fact: Drinking impairs your judgment and increases the likelihood that you’ll do something you’ll later regret. 1 in 3 18 to 24-year-olds- are admitted to emergency rooms for serious injuries while intoxicated. Alcohol is also associated with homicides, suicides and drownings.

Myth: Drinking coffee helps to sobers you up.

• Fact: Coffee cannot rid your system of alcohol, only time reverses the impairment. It takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol contents of two drinks depending on your weight. Coffee will just make you a nervous, wide-awake drunk.

Myth: You can just drive slower after drinking.

• Fact: Many people believe that by driving more slowly, they can compensate for being impaired. The truth is, drunk drivers are dangerous at any speed.

Myth: If you roll down the car window it’s okay to drive.

• Fact: No amount of fresh, chilly air can reverse impairment. You gain nothing by rolling down a window or turning on the air conditioner.

Myth: All you have to do is splash your face with cold water.”

• Fact: Cold water or even a cold shower will not sober you up or make you a safer driver.

Myth: It’s okay for you to drink to keep up with your boyfriend.

• Fact: Women process alcohol differently. No matter how much he drinks, if you drink the same amount as your boyfriend, you will become more intoxicated and more impaired. When it comes to alcohol, size and weight matters.

Myth: If you’re bigger you can handle your liquor better than other people.

• Fact: Size is only one factor in how much you can drink. Metabolism, amount of rest and food intake all play a part in how you handle liquor. Impairment in motor reflexes and judgment can begin with the first drink.

Myth: You’d be better off if you could learn to “hold your liquor.”

• Fact: If you have to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol to get a “buzz” or get “high,” you’re developing tolerance. Tolerance is actually a warning sign that you’re developing more serious problems with alcohol.

Myth: Beer doesn’t have as much alcohol as hard liquor.

• Fact: A 12-ounce bottle of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey or a 5-ounce glass of wine. Alcohol is alcohol no matter what form it is in.