Alcohol & Other Drugs

Alcohol
Tobacco and Other Drugs

Alcohol

79% of ASU students use a designated driver when they drink

81% of ASU students eat before and/or while drinking

71% of ASU students had 0-4 drinks the last time they partied or socialized

However 60% of ASU students overestimate the average number of drinks consumed by a typical ASU student. This misperception can lead to internalized pressure to drink more.

Although most ASU students make healthy choices about consuming alcohol, 29% engage in high risk drinking behavior that often results in consequences for the drinker, his/her peers, and/or the wider ASU community.

American College Health Association. American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment: Arizona State University Spring 2006. Baltimore: American College Health Association; 2006. (n=1222)

Responsible Use of Alcohol

  • Do not drink alcohol if you are stressed, ill, or tired, taking medications, pregnant, nursing, or considering pregnancy, driving, underage or in violation of the law, recovering, or related to someone with alcoholism
  • Eat food before and while drinking
  • Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks, particularly water
  • Do not play drinking games
  • Have no more than one drink per hour
  • Drink no more than four times per week

What is a Drink?

  • 12 oz of beer
  • 4 oz of wine
  • 1 oz of liquor

Hangover

A hangover is the body’s reaction to the toxic effects of and withdrawal from alcohol.

Avoid Hangovers:

  • Have a reason for a drink: celebrations, parties, and events
  • Set a limit for yourself: one standard size drink per hour
  • Avoid alternating the types of alcohol you consume
  • Eat up. Eat before you go out, while you are out, and after you get home.
  • Alternate. Have a drink, then a glass of water, then maybe another drink.
  • Drink water.
  • Drink no more than four times per week.

Socializing Off Campus

All guests and hosts are accountable for following State of Arizona laws, city ordinances, and potential consequences for not adhering to social responsibilities and regulations. (http://www.azleg.gov/arizonarevisedstatutes.asp)

Reasons Not to Drink

Do not drink alcohol if you are stressed, ill, tired, taking medications, pregnant, nursing, or considering pregnancy, driving, underage or in violation of the law, recovering, or related to someone with alcoholism.

Alcohol Poisoning

A serious medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Causes

  • Drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time
  • Ssensitivity to alcohol
  • Inexperience with alcohol

Signs & Symptoms

  • Consumed large quantities of alcohol
  • Unconscious, does not respond to beign pinched or shaken
  • Cold, clammy, unusually pale or bluish skin
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Vomitting while passed out
  • Strong odor of alcohol coming from the person

What to do

  • Call 911
  • Turn the person on his/her side
  • Stay with the person until help arrives

How to Help a Friend with an Alcohol or Drug Problem

  • Be aware of the following behaviors:
    • Drinking to get drunk
    • Violent behaviors
    • Missing class/not studying
    • Avoiding or switching friends
    • Blackouts
    • Beginning to use additional drugs
    • Family history of alcohol or other drug use
    • Changes in personality
  • Tell your friend that you are concerned and explain why without making judgmental comments.
  • Recommend they get professional help

Alcohol & Other Drug Links

Resources for Alcohol and Other Drugs
Get Involved with Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness
Alcohol and Other Drug Presentations

For more information about Alcohol and Other Drugs, please contact wellness@asu.edu.