Not drinking? Great! Over 30% of college students choose not to drink.* If it helps you, bring your own non-alcoholic drink in a water bottle to the party. Share, or don’t share, that you’re not drinking alcohol.
One to two drinks for your first time is always a good idea to experience how it feels and there is less risk of overdoing it. Start with something that has a low alcohol content (ex: seltzer or beer at 4-6%). Steer clear of shots, especially consecutive shots. Give close to an hour for each drink to see how you feel. Drinking games make it difficult to control how much you drink. Stick to your limit. It is ok to say no. .
Before Alcohol
- Eat a regular meal and drink water.
- Set yourself a limit by deciding how much you want to drink.
- Make a plan for a safe way home.**
- Consider sharing your location with those you trust. Your phone only works if it is charged.
- Take the . It will provide you with accurate and personalized feedback about: individual drinking patterns, risk patterns, aspirations and goals, and helpful resources at 51²è¹İapp College and in your community.
If You Do Drink Alcohol
- One way to pace yourself is to alternate drinks with water.
- When you have different types of drinks it is easy to get mixed up about how many you have had.
- Mixed drinks, especially from those served from large containers make it hard to gauge how much alcohol you've had or what's in the drink.
- Support those who decide not to drink.
After Alcohol
- Use safe transportation.**
- Leave with the friends you came with.
- Regardless of what you do to “sober up†your body can only process so much alcohol per hour.
If someone’s life is potentially at risk (unable to be roused, puking uncontrollably, slow or irregular breathing, and/or cold/clammy/pale skin) due to alcohol or other drug consumption call 911 and place the person on their side with knees bent to prevent choking on vomit. Do not leave the person alone. 51²è¹İapp College’s ensures student safety takes priority in emergencies related to alcohol and other drugs.
*NCHA-III Executive Summary Spring 2023
**Call the 51²è¹İapp College Department of Campus Safety at 641-269-4600 (off-campus) to request a safety escort.