Alcohol
"One Drink" DEFINED
In order to make responsible choices about alcohol use, it is important to know how much you are actually drinking. How much alcohol you ingest is a significant factor in determining your blood alcohol level. The faster you drink, the more intoxicated you become.
Your body can only metabolize alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour.
| 1.5 OZ. Hard Liquor (80 Proof) |
5 OZ. Wine | 12 OZ. Beer |
|---|---|---|
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Blood Alcohol Content
BAC DEFINED
The term Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood. It is also referred to as Blood Alcohol Level (BAL). If you decide to drink alcohol, your BAC can be affected by several different factors:
- How much alcohol you drink
- The rate at which you drink
- Personal variables
- gender
- age
- weight
- physical condition
- Food intake
- Any drugs or medication in your system
BAC Levels & Effects
Your BAC determines the level of impairment you
will experience after drinking alcohol.
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION CARDS
BAC cards help students calculate their BAC based on their gender, weight, number of drinks, and time interval of consumption.
These wallet-sized cards are individually tailored to a student's weight and gender.
Free cards at Wellness Education, Stop by and pick one up.
Examples of different BAC levels and the effect on your mind and body are listed below.
BAC EFFECT
| .00% | This is your BAC when you have had no alcoholic drinks. It is considered the only safe driving limit. |
|---|---|
| .02% | Relaxation, slightly lower inhibitions, slightly elevated mood. |
| .05% | Relaxation, exaggeration of behavior, increase in intensity of emotion. |
| .08% | Possible impairment in balance and speech, impaired judgment. |
| .10% | Feeling of euphoria, impairment in a number of areas (coordination, balance, motor skills, judgment, memory), exaggeration of emotions. |
| .20% | Confusion, disorientation, lack of pain response, needing assistance with standing or walking, possible nausea and vomiting, blackouts. |
| .30% | Stupor, possible loss of consciousness, possible death. |
| .40% | Coma, likely death. |
Did you know. . . . ?
- Each year, the following numbers of college-age students experience negative consequences of alcohol use:
- Injury (599,000)
- Assault (696,000)
- Sexual assault or date rape (97,000)
- Unprotected sex (400,000)
- Health problems (150,000)
- About 1.2-1.5% of college students reported attempting suicide last year as the result of alcohol or drug use.
- One quarter of college students reported experiencing negative academic consequences from their drinking (e.g., low grades, missed classes).
- There are some skills related to driving that are impaired at a blood alcohol level of .02%.
- There are over 150 medications that should never be mixed with alcohol.
- More than 100,000 college students reported having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.
- 2.1 million college students drove under the influence of alcohol last year (BAC of .08% or over).
- An estimated 110,000 college students are arrested each year for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence.
