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This publication is brought to you by Partners in Prevention, a coalition of in Missouri. *Data taken from the Missouri College Health Behavior Partners in Prevention is funded by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse . Survey, Spring 2010, n=7813 Missouri college students http://pip.missouri.edu Revised 07.2012 Blood Alcohol Levels A person’s blood alcohol level (or content, BAC, for short) Top Ten to Consider depends on several factors, including rate of drinking, body mass, stomach contents, and the substance mixed with the alcohol. When a person’s BAC reaches high 1. It’s your choice to drink. 6. Never mix. levels, there are numerous dangers, including blacking Not everyone drinks; it’s a personal decision. First, respect It is never a good idea to mix alcohol with other substances, out, passing out, alcohol poisoning, and losing respiratory university, city and state laws regarding alcohol. Consider including prescription drugs. If you are taking medication functions. the legal, health, and social aspects of drinking, and then for a condition—even a cold—try skipping the alcohol. decide what is best for you. If others around you choose Remember: The legal limit for BAC is .08. 7. Keep your body and mind sharp. not to drink, respect their decisions, too. In Missouri, if you are under 21, you can be cited for a When you drink, the alcohol hinders vitamins from being BAC as low as .02. Calculate your BAC level ahead of time absorbed properly. It also acts as a diuretic, expelling 2. Decide ahead of time. and stick to a plan for keeping it at a safe level. Know what your limitations are before heading out to a liquids, minerals, and electrolytes from the body. And don’t forget all the empty calories that go into each drink. party. This includes expectations for drinking and sexual The charts below will give you an idea of what your Plus, heavy or frequent drinking can cause problems with situations. Be honest with yourself about what makes you BAC is like after three hours. Remember, these are for academics, too. More inspiration to moderate! uncomfortable. Also, determine who will be the sober driver educational purposes and should not be interpreted as for the evening. Ensure that this person remains sober. The 8. Sex and alcohol. exact representations of actual BAC levels. “least drunk person” is not the same as a safe driver. Sure, it might be easier to strike up a conversation with 3. Know your body. someone across the room, but keep in mind that alcohol Males and females process alcohol differently. Females tend impairs judgment—not something you want associated For Men: to be smaller, meaning there is less body mass throughout with sexual intimacy. Remember that consent cannot be Body Weight in LBS. which to distribute the alcohol. There is also less body legally given when the person is intoxicated. That means fluid in women to dilute the alcohol, and a woman’s liver that it’s best to sober up before deciding about having sex. produces less of an enzyme needed for breaking down 9. Re-focus the event. alcohol. For men, alcohol can disrupt the processes the body If you’re hosting a party, what is there for people to do? uses to grow muscle, rest and heal. High levels of alcohol Making an event just about drinking is not only potentially use can also cause sexual dysfunction. dangerous, it gets old fast. If you find yourself or others 4. How are you measuring? drinking to get drunk, it might be worth examining other Hour 3 Having a “drink” is pretty vague in terms of knowing aspects of life. It could indicate some kind of deeper issue. Number of Drinks how much alcohol you have consumed. For Stress and anxiety are common in college and there are measurement purposes, one drink means one 12 oz. beer, constructive ways to deal with it. There is help available. one 4 oz. glass of wine, or a one-ounce shot of alcohol. (See the back of this pamphlet for contact information.) Mixed drinks vary in their potency. Make sure you know 10. Consider your future. For Women: exactly how much alcohol is in there, and request that Excessive drinking can cause major disruptions in it be mixed with non-carbonated beverages. Things your most important job right now: school. It’s not Body Weight in LBS. like soda move the alcohol through the bloodstream uncommon for drinking to lead to sliding grades, quicker—making you feel drunk faster. academic probation, even suspension or expulsion. 5. Pace yourself. The body can only process about one drink in an hour. Most employers now perform a background check on This is approximately ½ to ¾ an ounce of pure alcohol. potential employees. This means that they will be able Overloading the body can lead to feeling hung-over, to see alcohol or drug-related convictions on your record. Hour 3 blacking out, or worse. Try slowing down and alternate That includes impaired driving, using a fake ID, serving between a drink and a glass of water. It may result in underage students, and disorderly conduct. Speaking Number of Drinks more trips to the restroom, but you will feel a lot better of sticking with you, also watch what gets posted on the tomorrow. Whenever possible, eat a meal high in protein Internet. Pages, photos, and text are stored for years before going out. This will help slow the absorption of to come. How would you explain some of those “crazy alcohol, keeping you more in control of your drinking. nights” to an employer or grad school board?