Safer Drinking Strategies
Even if you choose not to drink, it is still important for you to know strategies you can use to reduce the negative effects of alcohol consumption. You may be the one to keep a friend or roommate safe by suggesting they consider these tips.
Choose not to drink
First, you can choose not to drink. Lots of students at Penn State don't drink. In fact, based on our most recent student drinking survey, about 30% of students across all of Penn State choose not to drink. So if you choose not to drink, you're in good company.
If you choose to drink:
If you do choose to drink, one of the most important things you can do is to eat a full meal before going out. The food in your stomach will help slow down the rate that alcohol is absorbed into your blood stream.
Keep it to one drink per hour. Remember, your liver can only remove the toxins from alcohol at a rate of one standard drink per hour.
Before you go out, make a decision about how much you're going to drink at a party and stick to it. Make a pact with your friend about how much you will drink to stay safe. Make sure you and your friend stick to it.
Be aware that you may be offered a drink where it is hard to detect how much alcohol is in it. You might also be offered a drink that's had a date rape drug added. Common date rape drugs are often tasteless, colorless and odor free.
The best way to stick to your limit is to keep track of how much you've had to drink. If you decide to have just 3 drinks at a party, put 3 rubber bands on your wrist before you go out. Each time you have a drink switch a rubber band to your other wrist. This will help you keep track of how much you've had to drink. Or be creative and come up with a method that works for you.
Have a glass of water in between each drink. This will help you stay hydrated and give your body time to process each drink.
Avoid playing drinking games or doing lots of shots in a row because drinking a lot of alcohol in a short period of time can cause your BAC to rise very quickly.
This may cause you to drink more than you want. You might end up drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time which would put you at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Both alcohol and cannabis affect areas of the brain associated with problem solving, thinking, memory, and motor coordination.
This goes without saying, but never drive a car if you've been drinking alcohol, and never ride in a car with someone who has been drinking.