Smart Choices for Drinking

It’s no secret that drinking plays a role in the lives of many college students. Recent research shows that college students who drink five or more standard drinks for men, or four drinks for women, on any given day within a two-week period are at a greater risk for health, academic, and social problems. However, if you drink, you can do so in a way that’s fun—without negatively affecting your health or college experience.

Alcohol: the good and the bad
Small amounts of alcohol can be beneficial to your health and social life, but alcohol is also a powerful and potentially harmful drug. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause immediate difficulties, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, and disrupted sleep, and lead to damaged friendships, injuries, assaults, rapes, suicides, homicides and car crashes. It can also create long-term problems such as ulcers, liver disease, high blood pressure, strokes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and birth defects.

Drinking impairs judgment and reduces inhibitions, causing people to do things they might not do when sober. Alcohol can cause significant changes in people’s ability to react to their surroundings, control their muscles, and perceive the world accurately.

Excessive drinking is associated with unprotected sex and acquaintance rape. According to the UW Police Department, 8 of 10 acquaintance assaults reported by students involve alcohol. Alcohol clouds thinking, making it harder to identify a dangerous or risky situation, and can also make communication more difficult. Be wary of someone encouraging you to drink more, faster, or who is constantly refilling your drinks. Potential perpetrators may do these things to make you an easier target for sexual assault. To address this problem, Wisconsin recently added alcohol to the list of drugs that can worsen sexual assault charges when used to commit sexual assault. Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. Still, many dangerous situations can be avoided if you are aware of how intoxicated you (and people around you) are.

In the long term, those with a history of alcoholism in their families are more likely to develop a drinking problem. This could be because of a high inherited tolerance, or a body that is sensitive to alcohol. Although you can’t change your genes, you can choose better habits to reduce health risks.

Know your blood alcohol level
A good way to assess drinking and intoxication is to understand the blood alcohol level (BAL). BAL is determined by gender, weight, amount of alcohol consumed, time spent drinking, and other factors. Everyone is different; some people find they are intoxicated after one or two drinks. As BAL rises, so does risk level.

Consider how, when, and what amount to drink. Alcohol intake should be limited to one drink or less per hour. One standard drink is defined as one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one cocktail with 1½ ounces of 80-proof liquor. Consuming small amounts of alcohol (one to two drinks) on a more frequent basis involves less risk than consuming large amounts (more than four or five) infrequently. Drinking smaller amounts also decreases the likelihood of developing a higher tolerance. To moderate drinking and keep the BAL down:

• drink slowly


• alternate with nonalcoholic drinks


• sip rather than slam


• eat a substantial meal before drinking


• avoid situations that disguise how much alcohol is consumed, such as chugging contests and other drinking games, or drinking from a “super-sized” drink container.

• drinking on an empty stomach


• using alcohol in combination with other drugs


• being on a diet or under normal weight


• menstrual cycle phases


• recent loss of blood, such as from donating blood.

• Set a limit in advance. Prepare yourself for potential problems such as pressures to drink more.


• Eat before and while drinking.


• Pace drinks to one or less per hour. Sip, don't gulp.


• Don’t quench your thirst with alcoholic drinks. Alternate drinks with non-alcoholic ones, or skip the alcohol altogether and stick with "look-alike" cocktails of soda and juice, or nonalcoholic beer.


• Avoid drinking games.


• Ask a friend to tell you when you've had enough.


• Do not ignore a friend with an alcohol problem. Help your friend tone it down and consider talking to a counselor or clinician if needed.


• Be an individual, stick to your values, and encourage a healthier use of alcohol among friends. You'll have more fun, with fewer hangovers, arguments, and problems in school.


• Participate in activities that do not involve alcohol.

top of page   |   story updated 2/12/07