GatorWell Health Promotion Services Division of Student Affairs Alcohol Issues and Campus Life

College Students & Alcohol  Rationale for Discussion  Alcohol Quiz  Emergency Situations  Low Risk Strategies

High-Risk Drinking Periodic excessive drinking characterized as: 5 or more drinks in one sitting (2 hours) for men 4 or more drinks in one sitting (2 hours) for women

UF High-Risk Drinking Rates: Fall 2005 – Spring 2010

Alcohol Most Commonly Used Substance Among UF Students *Based on UF 2010 CORE Data

Negative Consequences Associated with Alcohol Use Among UF Students *Based on UF 2010 CORE Data

Students’ Drinking Effects: Life on or Around UF’s Campus *Based on UF 2010 CORE Data

Not Everybody Drinks *Consuming any alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal.

Gender Differences True or False: Men can metabolize alcohol faster than women.

Sex True or False: Alcohol is a sexual stimulant.

Sober Up True or False: There is no way to sober up quickly.

Alcohol & Energy Drinks True or False Mixing alcohol with energy drinks will sober you up.

Alcohol & Energy Drinks  Mixing a stimulant (caffeine) with a depressant (alcohol) can mask the depressant effects of alcohol.  Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics, leading to dehydration.  Mixing caffeine can make your heart rate and blood pressure rise.  Mixing caffeine and alcohol can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning True or False: A person can die from alcohol poisoning.

Person is passed out or unresponsive and cannot be awakened. Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. Slow breathing rate, with 10 seconds or more between breaths. Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out, & not waking up after vomiting. Unable to stand or walk without help Signs & Symptoms

First Aid for Alcohol Poisoning  Call 911 immediately.  Lay victim on their side (recovery position).  Stay with the person & monitor vital signs (e.g. breathing & pulse).  Be prepared to give emergency personnel as much information as possible

What Not To Do  Do not hesitate to call 911.  Do not leave the person alone.  Do not try to give the person anything to eat or drink.  Do not put the person in a cold shower.  Do not just let him/her “sleep it off.”

UF Medical Amnesty Policy  Created to promote a healthy and safe environment for all UF students.  Encourage students to call 911 in serious or life-threatening alcohol and/or drug abuse situations.  Person calling for help and person in crisis will not be referred for Student Code of Conduct charges regarding the alcohol or drug use.  Medical Amnesty Policy incidents will not be entered on the student’s official academic record.

Low Risk Strategies  Plan how you will get home before you go out.  Determine how much you will drink before you go out.  Eat before you drink.  Pace yourself, no more than one drink an hour.  Alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages.  Avoid shots.  Avoid drinking games, dares, and contests.  Start late - finish early.  Never leave your drink unattended.

Problem Drinking Behavior  Frequently drink to get drunk  Try to “solve” problems by drinking  Experience personality changes  Drink when they should not  Cause other problems

Addicted to Alcohol  Increased Tolerance  Inability to have a few drinks-keep bottles hidden for quick pick-me-ups  Miss work or skip class to party or to recover from partying  Obsess over alcohol  Often drink alone

Addicted to Alcohol Continued  Allow alcohol to effect job, education, family, or significant other.  Feel the need to drink before a stressful situation.  Spend a lot of time planning where and when to get next drink  Deny drinking  Dependence

How to Help a Friend  If you care, show concern.  Avoid blaming, lectures, and verbal attacks.  Keep an open mind about how your friend evaluates his or her situation.  Encourage non-drinking behavior by planning activities not related to alcohol.  Limit personal drinking when you are with your friend who has a problem.  Encourage friend to take advantage of campus resources

Bystander Behavior  Individuals who are concerned about a problem but don’t act on their concern.  May perceive a problem, but nothing is done to make a difference.  Can prevent social injustices by taking action when bad things occur to other students.  Bystanders should help students if they witness any form of misbehavior and other problems.  UF ‘U Matter, We Care’ Program

~ ~ CARE With over 50,000 students and not 1 to spare, the U Matter, We Care initiative serves as a recognizable umbrella for care related programs and resources for those in distress. The underlying philosophy of the U Matter, We Care initiative is that UF community members care about each other and proactively reach out to help when needed. U Matter, We Care extends UF’s caring culture by educating our community about signs and symptoms of distress, and providing those in distress the appropriate resources.

~ ~ CARE Who can help those in distress? Counseling and Wellness Center (352) ~ Dean of Students Office (352) ~ Housing and Residence Education (352) ~ University Police Department (352) ~ International Center (352) ~ Make a difference. Be part of the solution.

Summary  Alcohol is the #1 health problem on college campuses.  A minority of students cause the majority of alcohol related problems.  If you choose to drink remember low risk drinking strategies.  Don’t ever hesitate to get someone the medical help they need.  Nobody likes a sloppy Gator.

Resources  GatorWell: gatorwell.ufsa.ufl.edu gatorwell.ufsa.ufl.edu  Counseling & Wellness Center:  Dean of Students Office:  Student Health Care Center: