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Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is the most widely used drug on American College and University campuses. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is easily made and is the mood-altering ingredient in wine, beer, and liquor.
What is a drink?
A 12-ounce beer, a 4-ounce glass of wine, a 10-ounce wine cooler, and a shot (1-ounce) of liquor have the same amount of alcohol.
After just 1 or 2 drinks, even if not legally drunk, a person will likely have slower reaction time, impaired perception, and poorer judgment.
These all affect decisions about risky behavior, such as driving while drunk, violence, unsafe sex, and riding with a driver who's been drinking.
(Reference: ETR Associates, www.etr.org, (1999), Drinking: What's Normal, What's Not)
University Policy and Virginia Law
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Virginia's legal age for the purchase and consumption of wine, distilled spirits, and beer is 21.
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The sale, purchase, possession, transportation, storage, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on Radford University property and at off-campus university-sponsored functions is permitted only in accordance with Virginia State law and only as outlined in the student handbook.
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In addition, it is unlawful for any minor to knowingly and willfully make any misrepresentation of age in order to obtain alcoholic beverages. This means no fake IDs.
For more information specifically on RU's policies and codes of conduct, see the Student Handbook.
Did you know???
If you are caught with a fake or borrowed ID, you could pay a fine of up to $2500 and spend up to 12 months in jail.
To find out more information on underage possession of a fake ID, check out the
Parent's Guide
Here is a link for parents of first year college students that has up-to-date information to help your son or daughter make responsible decisions about the use of alcohol.
A Guide for Parents of First Year College Students
Alcohol Poisoning: Taking Action
Steps you can take if you encounter someone who could be suffering from acute alcohol poisoning.
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Try to wake a person suffering from an overdose. Are they unconscious? Can they be awakened? Try and call their name. Pinch their skin because they should have a reaction. Remember, alcohol is a depressant and it will numb the nerves so by pinching the skin, you can gauge how far along in the "overdose" process they are.
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Turn the person on their side. Do no leave them. You turn the person on their side so that if they get sick and vomit, the airways will not be blocked and the person will not choke. Stay with them. Only leave if you have to go to a phone or to get someone to help you. Monitor the breathing. Make sure they do not rollover on their back.
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Check skin color or temperature. What is their skin color and temperature? Is enough blood getting to the skin? A sign that you should get help is if a person has pale or bluish skin, or the skin is cold or clammy. This person is not getting enough oxygen.
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Check the person's breathing. How is the person breathing? If a person is breathing irregularly with a few breaths and then nothing for a while - this is a sign that medical attention is necessary. If the person's breathing is too slow or shallow - less than 8 breaths a minute or more than 10 seconds in between breaths - this is another sign that you should get help.
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There are no absolutes. Everyone is different. These are just some of the potential signs of acute alcohol poisoning. A person may have one or all symptoms. For instance, there is no guarantee that if a person is breathing 9 times a minute they will be fine or if they are breathing 7 times a minute they will die. If you cannot wake the person up at all, it is a serious situation. If you are at all concerned, don't hesitate to get help.
Just "Sleeping It Off?"
A more difficult situation occurs when an intoxicated person appears to be "just sleeping it off." It is important to understand that even though the person may appear to be okay, their blood-alcohol level can continue to rise, creating a life-threatening situation. It is important that you place the intoxicated person on their side and maintain that position and continue to monitor their breathing, skin color, and responses. If the signs of alcohol overdose appear, call 911. By being able to identify the signs and symptoms of alcohol overdose, and know what action to take if the situation occurs, death from alcohol poisoning can be prevented.
(Reference: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Nebraska. 1993, Acute Alcohol Intoxication.)
Effects of Alcohol on YOUR Body
Alcohol has various effects on your body. It does everything from increase your confidence to cause impotence. Here is how alcohol works, and how it affects your mind and body.
The chart below will explain what alcohol does to your brain:
|
Amount of alcohol |
BAC |
Areas of brain progressively affected |
Functions affected/impaired |
Effects or symptoms |
|
2 drinks in one hour |
.02-.06% |
Association area of cerebrum |
Reason, judgment |
Dizziness, less inhibited behavior, overestimation of skills, less sound judgment, slower reaction time |
|
2-3 drinks in one hour |
.06-.10% |
Most of cerebrum |
Judgment, reason, senses, merit, coordination, vision, speech |
Slurring of speech, blurring of vision, loss of coordination (including those skills needed for driving) |
|
4-5 drinks in one hour |
.12-.15% |
Entire cerebrum |
Judgment, reason, motor coordination, vision, speech, hearing |
Double vision, drowsiness, loss of balance, clumsiness |
|
8-10 drinks in one hour |
.30-.40% |
Limbic system |
All above functions plus respiration and heart rate |
Deep sleep, coma |
|
more then 12 drinks in one hour |
.50% |
Central core |
All above functions plus body temperature |
Deep coma, death |
(Reference: VASAP; http://www.vasap.state.va.us/Vasap/effects.htm)