Alcohol Education

College is a time of exploration and growth. In addition to new ideas, new people, and a new environment, students may also be exposed to alcohol for the first time. Choosing not to drink is the safest choice. If you choose to drink, consider how this decision affects your health and safety, as well as your personal values. The following questions can help guide you in this process:

  • Does your behavior jeopardize your personal safety?
  • Does your behavior violate any laws or university policies?
  • Does your behavior produce positive benefits that outweigh the negative consequences?
  • Does your behavior align with your values?
  • Do you make choices that you later regret?
  • Are your decisions negatively influenced by others?

Standard Drinks

The body can process about one standard drink per hour, which is about one half ounce of pure alcohol. Different types of alcoholic beverages contain different concentrations of alcohol, so the amount of alcohol in the drink is more critical than the volume of liquid.

  • Beer: 5% alcohol by volume; 1 standard drink = 12 oz (355 mL)
  • Wine: 12% alcohol by volume; 1 standard drink = 5 oz (148 mL)
  • Liquor: 40% alcohol by volume; 1 standard drink = 1.5 oz (44 mL)

Mixed drinks, including Jungle Juice and BORGs, may contain much more than 1 standard drink of alcohol. Choosing not to consume these types of beverages is the safest choice. If you choose to drink Jungle Juice or BORGs, sip slowly to monitor your body’s response, and make sure to drink plenty of water.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. If you choose to drink, reduce your risk and “Stay in the Green” by keeping your BAC below 0.06. Most people accomplish this by consuming 1 drink per hour. If you choose not to drink, you’re already in the green!

Understanding your BAC and its effects will help you make informed decisions about alcohol use. Different BAC levels have different effects:

BAC Effect

  • 0.02: Feelings of relaxation begin
  • 0.04: Feeling more relaxed, buzzed
  • 0.06: Judgment decreases, decision-making affected
  • 0.08: Impairment of motor coordination; risk of nausea begins (NOTE: legal limit for driving)
  • 0.10: Clear deterioration in judgment, coordination, and reaction time
  • 0.15 – 0.25: Risk of blackouts begin
  • 0.25 – 0.35: Risk of passing out, losing consciousness, and even death
  • 0.35 – 0.45: Lethal dose

BAC is affected by the following factors:

  • Number of standard drinks consumed
  • Number of hours since first drink
  • Body weight
  • Differences based on sex assigned at birth
  • The amount of food a person has consumed, as well as any medications, can also influence BAC

Because of all these factors, BAC can vary from person to person, even if you have had the same number of drinks. Even if a man and a woman are the same weight and have had the same number of drinks, their BAC will still be different due to differences in body composition.

To help you keep track of your BAC, stop by the McDonald Center on the second floor of Saint Liam Hall to get your own BAC card, personalized by sex and body weight.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Get help immediately (call your RA, Rector, or NDPD) if you see any of the following:

  • Vomiting while passed out
  • Unresponsive or difficult to wake up
  • Breathing is irregular, noisy, slow, shallow, or has stopped

Check out the following resources for more information:

Tolerance

Over time, a person who drinks regularly or heavily may need to consume more alcohol to feel the same effects; in other words, they have developed a higher tolerance to alcohol. As a result, they may be less likely to notice the effects of alcohol, but their BAC will continue to rise as they consume more alcohol. At these higher BAC levels, the risks of serious effects, such as liver damage, increase. Additionally, tolerance increases a person’s risk for alcohol use disorder.

Strategies to Reduce Your Risk

If you choose to drink, follow these tips to reduce your risk and Stay in the Green:

  • Eat high-energy foods with protein and carbohydrates before and while consuming alcohol.
  • Pace yourself to one standard drink per hour (maintain a BAC below 0.06).
  • Avoid mixed drinks with unknown alcohol content, especially Jungle Juice and BORGs.
  • Avoid mixing alcohol with other substances, including caffeine and any medications (both prescription and over-the-counter).
  • Use the buddy system, and have a plan for getting home safely before you leave.
  • Know the signs of alcohol poisoning, and get help when needed (call your RA, AR, rector, or NDPD).

Tips for Hosting a Social Gathering with Alcohol

Check out these tips on how to host a party to be a responsible host.

Funding for Stay in the Green programs of the McDonald Center for Student Well-Being at the University of Notre Dame has been provided in part by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction.