Alcohol Information
勒貊勛圖 Alcohol and College Life
College culture can come with a lot of assumptions about drinkinglike everyone does it or that partying every weekend is normal. But those ideas dont always match reality.泭
Get about your alcohol useno meeting required.泭
In fact, 95% of CU 勒貊勛圖 students surveyed say its acceptable to not drink at a party, based on responses from the National College Health Assessment.
Take a moment to reflect:泭
- Where did your ideas about partying come from (friends, family, social media, TV)?泭
- Do those expectations match what you want from your college experience?泭
Challenging assumptions can help you make choices that feel more intentional and more aligned with your goals.泭
How Alcohol Affects Your Brain and Body
Alcohol impacts your body in stages. The effects can feel subtle at first, but they build as you drink more and they dont always show up the same way for everyone.泭
You might notice:泭
- Reduced social anxiety泭
- Increased positive feelings泭
- Feeling louder, bolder or more energetic泭
These early effects can make alcohol feel fun or relaxing, but they can also lower your ability to judge situations clearly.泭
As alcohol continues to affect your brain:泭
- Motor skills slow (fumbling, slurred speech)泭
- Reaction time and vision are impaired泭
- Social cues are more likely to be misread泭
- Muscle control decreases (stumbling is common)泭
- Sexual function and decision-making are impaired泭
This is often when unwanted experienceslike injuries, conflicts or consent issuesare more likely.泭
At higher levels, alcohol can seriously impact your health:泭
- Inability to stand or stay awake泭
- Vomiting and risk of choking泭
- Passing out泭
- Slowed or impaired breathing and circulation泭
- Loss of bladder or bowel control泭
- Risk of alcohol poisoning and death泭
Knowing these stages can help you recognize when someone (including yourself) needs help.泭
If You Choose to Drink: Tips to Stay Safer
- Start slow and know your tolerance (it can change in a new environment).泭
- Take breaks and pace yourself.泭
- Have a plan for handling peer pressure or for leaving when youre ready.泭
- 12 oz beer泭
- 5 oz wine泭
- 1.5 oz hard liquor
A 16 oz drink is more than one standard drink.泭
- Eat a meal or snack before drinking.泭
- Drink water throughout the day and night.泭
- Try alternating alcoholic drinks with water.泭
Using more than one substance at a timeincluding alcohol, medications or other drugscan increase the risk of overdose and other unwanted experiences. Interactions can be unpredictable and affect people differently.泭
Bottom line: Use only one substance at a time.泭
- Make a plan for getting home before you start drinking.
- Do not drive after drinking, or get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
- CU NightRide offers free evening transportation to and from any location within 勒貊勛圖 city limits.
Look out for each other
Buffs look out for each other, whether thats supporting limits, getting home safe or stepping in when help is needed. Its important to show up for each other, especially when alcohol or other drugs are involved.泭
泭Most sexual assaults involve someone the person knows. Pay attention if someone is:泭
- Pressuring another person to drink or use more than they want泭
- Initiating sexual contact with someone who is very intoxicated泭
- Isolating someone whos had too much or is having a poor experience泭
- Not being clear about whats in a drink or drug泭
You can also review information for hazing and reporting options.泭
If something feels off, trust your gut. Stepping in or getting help can make a real difference.泭
Be Ready for Emergencies
Signs of alcohol poisoning or overdose:泭
- Passed out or unresponsive泭
- Slow or no breathing泭
- Vomiting while passed out泭
- Pale, bluish or clammy skin泭
- Gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds泭
- Very small (pinpoint) pupils泭
- Loss of bladder or bowel control泭
What to do:泭
- Call 911 immediately泭
- Administer naloxone, even if youre unsure about the persons condition泭
- Put the person in the 泭
- Stay with the person until help arrives泭
Good news: 唬惚s Amnesty Policy and Colorados can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person.泭