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More information on alcohol

Alcohol

If you choose to drink, drink responsibly. You can reduce your risk of an alcohol-related problem.

How does alcohol affect your body?

The amount of alcohol in your blood determines its effects on you. The standard way of measuring how much alcohol is in the blood stream is the Blood Alcohol Content ( BAC), which measures the percentage of alcohol in your blood. A BAC of .10 means one-tenth of 1% or (1/1000) of your total blood content is alcohol.Being knowledgeable about BAC will allow you to make informed decisions about drinking.

For example: At .05 BAC you are impaired, at .08 BAC you are legally drunk in every state in the U.S., at .15 BAC there is the possibility for blackouts and vomiting, at .40 BAC you are in a coma, and .50 BAC and above can be lethal.

Expected BACs for a 150 lb. male on an empty stomach after one hour are as follows:
2 drinks = .05 BAC, 4 drinks = .10 BAC, 8 drinks = .20 BAC, 12 drinks = .30 BAC
Expected BACs for a 120 lb. female on an empty stomach after one hour are as follows: 2 drinks = .08 BAC, 4 drinks = .17 BAC, 6 drinks = .26 BAC, 8 drink = .33 BAC

What is lower-risk drinking?

Responsible drinking means taking steps to reduce your risk for experiencing an alcohol-related problem. For example:

Eat before you drink: the food will slow the rate of alcohol absorption.
Reduce the rate at which you drink. Sip, don't gulp!
Choose drinks with fruit juice mixers which allow for slower alcohol absorption.
Choose drinks with low alcohol content: A standard drink is: one 12 oz. bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5 oz. glass of wine, or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof distilled spirits
Limit your intake: consider a maximum of two drinks per day for men, one per day for women; and not drinking on more than four days per week.
Have only one drink per hour and alternate booze with non-alcoholic beverages.
Do not mix alcohol with prescription or illicit drugs.
Do not engage in sexual activity under the influence of alcohol: your decision making skills and judgment are impaired.

How to recognize a problem

Answering the following four questions can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem:

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" answers means it is highly likely that a problem exists. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health care provider right away.

Where can you go for help?

On Campus Resources

To make a medical or counseling appointment at Student Health Services, call 314.935.6666.
Betsy Foy, a Certified Health Education Specialist, can assess and treat individuals with alcohol and other drug problems. To schedule a personal assessment, call 314.935.7386 or email betsy_foy@wustl.edu.
For alcohol or other drug related emergencies, contact the Emergency Support Team (EST) by calling 314.935.5555.
For Alcoholics Anonymous “AA” on campus, contact Dan at:
- 636-244-1294 or
- 314-799-7075 or
- email drpresgr@artsci.wustl.edu

St. Louis Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous “AA” 314.647.3677
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, St. Louis Area: 314.962.3456

National Resources

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 800.729.6686
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov
Facts on tap: http://www.factsontap.org
Go Ask Alice: http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/

How can you learn more?

Professional

For alcohol brochures and other resources visit Health Promotion Services. To request an alcohol program, contact Melissa Ruwitch by calling 314.935.7139 or via e-mail.

Peer

For information about alcohol peer education, contact the Student Health Advisory Committee by e-mail or Betsy Foy at 935.7386. For confidential peer counseling, call Uncle Joe’s at 935.5099.