Facts About Alcohol Each year, drinking by college students contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, almost 600,000 injuries, almost 700,000 assaults, more than 90,000 sexual assaults, and 474,000 engaging in unprotected sex. 62% of men blamed alcohol for committing rape. 159,000 of today's first-year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol- or other drug-related reasons. 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. Also, alcohol weakens your immune system resulting in increased illnesses and absences from classes. 300,000 of today's college students will eventually die of alcoholrelated causes such as drunk driving accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, various cancers and heart disease. 2.1 million students between the ages of 18-24 drove under the influence of alcohol last year Factors that determine how alcohol will affect your BAC (blood alcohol): Amount of alcohol and how fast it is consumed Amount of food in the stomach and overall hydration (blood volume) Body weight and body fat (higher body fat = higher blood alcohol concentration due to how enzymes metabolize alcohol) Previous drinking experience (tolerance) Combining with other drugs (multiplier effect) General health Combining alcohol with carbonated beverages (increases the rate of absorption) Drinking other beverages with caffeine and confuse the brain
Nothing sobers someone up except TIME. It takes the liver about one hour to metabolize.5 ounces of pure alcohol, which is a standard drink (see below). Blood Alcohol Concentration Chart for Women Drinks Body Weight In Pounds Influence 90 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 1.05.05.04.03.03.03.02.02 Judgment & 2.10.09.08.07.06.05.05.04 thinking affected 3.15.14.11.10.09.08.07.06 4.20.18.15.13.11.10.09.08 Impaired reaction time & coordination 5.25.23.19.16.14.13.11.10 DUI 6.30.27.23.19.17.15.14.12 7.35.32.27.23.20.18.16.14.15-.20 judgment is affected 8.40.36.30.26.23.20.18.17.20+ risk for unconsciousness 9.45.41.34.29.26.23.20.19.30+ coma & death possible 10.51.45.38.32.28.25.23.21.40+ coma/death likely Subtract.01 for each hour of drinking One drink is 1.25oz of 80 proof liquor, 12oz beer, 10oz malt beverage or 5oz. wine. However, many beer, wine and shot glasses hold much more alcohol than the portions above so you may be drinking more than you realize!
The Dangers of Binge Drinking Binge drinking is: 5 or more for men, 4 or more for women, in ~2hrs There are a large number of dangers of binge drinking: Alcohol poisoning Liver disease High blood pressure, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease Neurological damage Sexually transmitted diseases Unintentional pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (if pregnant women binge drink) Unintentional injuries (such as car accidents, falls, etc.) Intentional injuries (such as injuries from firearms, domestic violence, etc.) Signs of Alcohol Poisoning Severe Confusion (incoherent speech) Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin Low body temperature (hypothermia) Repeated, uncontrolled vomiting. Try to keep a person who is vomiting sitting up, so they don t choke; if they must lie down, prop them up on their side and do not leave them alone Slow breathing (less than 13 times per minute, or no breathing at all for periods of 8 seconds or more) Seizures Loss of consciousness (if someone who has been drinking falls asleep and you can t wake them, it may be alcohol poisoning; if you are with someone who is drunk and they fall asleep, you should wake them frequently to make sure they are not unconscious) Alcohol poisoning can cause a person to go into a coma or it can cause death Don t be afraid to call 911, you may be saving their life!
Do You Have a Problem With Alcohol? In 2005 over 7% of college students met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism There are over 15 million alcoholics in the US Estimates state that there are nearly 5 million alcohol-dependent women in the United States alone It is estimated about 3 million teens are alcoholics Teens that drink, smoke pot and cigarettes are 16x more likely to use other more harmful illegal drugs 2/3 of victims who encounter domestic violence report that alcohol was a factor and OVER 2/3 of date rape cases involve alcohol Self Medication: Depression and other emotional issues contribute to alcoholism in women, particularly those who binge drink. Quite simply, some women use alcohol to offset negative feelings In addition, women who drink heavily increase their chances of getting heart disease, memory loss, and having reproductive difficulties. 3+ drinks per week also increases your risk of breast cancer by about 50% When someone has a problem, they often follow certain patterns: o Lie to friends and family o Hide their behaviors (drink alone) o End friendships with sober friends o Increase frequency, not just on weekends o Deny they have a problem
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes four symptoms: Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Loss of control: The inability to limit one s drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel the buzz or get drunk. Driving While Intoxicated: Slows reflexes Affects coordination Reduces a person s ability to judge distances and speeds Increases risk-taking behaviors Reduces a person s concentration while increasing forgetfulness Makes drivers tired and sleepy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems. A baby born with FAS may have: o Small head o Deformities of the face, hands or feet o Heart, liver and kidney defects o Vision and hearing problems o Slow growth and coordination problems o Difficulties with learning, attention, memory and problem solving FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation in the US