Alcohol

Alcohol is seen by many students as a normal part of the college experience- and Boston University is no different. According to a survey of undergraduate students in the Spring of 2007, about 90% of students consume alcohol, with about 50% saying they binge drink. While alcohol is often a part of social experiences, and can be consumed in a safer way, it can also have negative effects on those who choose to consume it.

Quick Facts:

  • One drink is twelve ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. If you attend a party or order drinks in a bar or club, pay attention to the size of the drink and the number of different types of alcohol in it- it’s very likely that your one “drink” equals two or three-or more!
  • The body can only process one drink per hour. Drinking more than one drink per hour leads to negative consequences ranging from loss of motor control and inappropriate behavior to blackouts, injury, and death.
  • Alcohol impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behavior, such as unsafe sex.
  • Excessive drinking during college may not seem like a big deal-but many students find it difficult to “outgrow” their college drinking behavior even after they graduate. Long-term effects of excessive drinking include liver disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and high blood pressure.

What You Can Do:

  • Read Boston University’s Alcohol Policy. You should be familiar with the policy and follow it to avoid judicial consequences.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, limit yourself to one drink per hour, and no more than four (for women) or five (for men) drinks per evening.
  • Drink a glass of water for every alcohol beverage you consume. This will help to keep you hydrated and reduce your chances of being sick or hungover.
  • Stick together- make sure that if you go out with a group of friends, everyone who went together comes home together.

Need more information? Check out these helpful resources:

Alcohol Screening

e-CHUG

AlterEdu

SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse For Alcohol and Drug Information

The BACCHUS Network

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Did you attend an Alcohol Education Class? Utilize the links below to complete your requirements:

e-CHUG

Alcohol Education Class Evaluation