Tips on Drinking Responsibly
Having a good time in college doesn’t mean you have to drink alcohol. As a matter of fact, more than half of first year students at JCU don’t drink at all. But for those students who do choose to consume alcohol, here are a few tips to be responsible and safe. Know your limits. Trying to outdrink someone twice your size is setting yourself up for failure—and a very rough night ahead! Many factors, especially weight and gender, can affect your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) . Alternate your alcoholic beverages with water. For every drink you have, have a glass of water as well. This will help keep you hydrated. Do not drink on an empty stomach. Having food in your stomach before drinking slows the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, allowing your body time to digest it. Avoid binge drinking. Don’t feel obligated to participate in every single round of beer pong at a party. And if you do (or happen to be on a winning streak) consider playing a few games with a non-alcoholic beverage. People end up drinking way more than they mean to when playing drinking games. This can lead to blacking out, vomiting, poor decision making, and alcohol poisoning, among many other negative consequences. Know your school’s policy. To avoid getting into trouble, know JCU's alcohol policy. Further resources on drinking responsibly: What is a Standard Drink? Alcohol Calorie Counter Article: Not the Usual College Party (This One's Sober) NIH: College Drinking