As both Saint Patrick’s day and Spring Break are around the corner, it is important for students to remember how to drink responsibly and safely.
According to the Alcohol Rehab Guide, an informational website that partners with nationally recognized treatment centers, roughly 80% of college students consume alcohol to some degree.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that about 33% of college students binge drink, which is constituted by a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher.
The NIAAA reported in 2021 that an estimated 1,519 college students died from alcohol related injuries in the prior year.
Here are some tips from Foundry, a governmental organization dedicated to helping young people access health and social services, to ensure that you and your friends have fun but remain safe over the break.
Foundry recommends taking these precautions to avoid alcohol-related issues:
- Eat and drink water before and while drinking alcohol. Try setting a reminder on your phone.
- Set a drink limit before you start drinking and assess as you go. Know when you’ve had enough and say so.
- Be aware of how alcohol affects you and your personality.
- If you’re playing drinking games, try playing with non-alcoholic drinks and don’t try to keep up with other drinkers.
- Finish one drink before starting another. Topping up drinks makes it harder to keep track of how many you’ve had.
Foundry also recommends the following tips to ensure the safety of you and your friends:
- Arrange a safe ride home before you start drinking. Between Uber, SafeRide, public transportation systems, designated drivers, and walking there is no excuse to drive under the influence.
- Only get in the car with a sober driver.
- Keep your drink with you at all times. If you do leave your drink unattended or have any doubts about it, make or order a new one.
- Drink in good company. Keep a good friend around, look out for each other and know what to do when you see a problem.
- If a friend leaves a drink unattended, keep an eye on it.
- If you see a friend becoming too drunk, make sure they drink water, eat food, and stop drinking alcohol. You can also help them avoid being reckless or hurting themselves or others.
Spring break is supposed to be a fun time, no doubt, but it is also important to stay safe. There’s no need to sacrifice safety for fun.
Have fun and enjoy your spring break, but make sure that you’re safe and come back from the break ready to close out the semester!
