How Students Can Stay Safe During Spring Break

For college students across the nation, the spring break tradition serves as an occasion that promises hard-earned fun and relaxation away from the stressful demands of school. This can also represent a time of extreme party behaviors marked by undesirable consequences that result from the hazards of high-risk drinking. As students anticipate the mid-semester break, now is the time for families to speak openly and honestly with their college-age adolescents about the facts surrounding alcohol, and to emphasize the power of knowledge in preventing serious or harmful repercussions.

Know the facts. The average size body metabolizes approximately one serving of alcohol per hour. Alcohol consumed in excess carries with it the risk of motor skill impairment and/or loss of general physical control; memory deficit (black out); lowered inhibition; and impaired judgment. Remind your college-age sons and daughters to consider the following safer drinking tips:

• Don't drink too much: One 12 oz. serving of beer = one 5 oz. glass of wine = 1.5 oz shot of hard liquor. Before you start drinking, decide how much you are going to drink. Drink at your own pace and not your friend's. When served an alcoholic beverage, observe the amount of alcohol dispensed.
• Slow down: It's not a race. Chugging is a bad idea because your body can't handle large amounts of alcohol without negative consequences.
• Eat something: Food, especially high protein food, helps slow the absorption of alcohol.
• Take a break: Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Avoid drinking games: Competition can lead to drinking more than your body can handle quickly.

Be aware that Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is affected by numerous factors including the amount of alcohol consumed and the speed at which it is consumed; body size (smaller people have higher BACS than larger individuals); food intake to slow alcohol absorption; sex differences (females reach higher BACs than males); and other drugs, some of which increase the effects of alcohol.

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning, which include mental confusion; impaired consciousness; coma or inability to arouse the individual; vomiting; seizures; slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute); irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths); and hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness. Do not wait for all signs to be present before helping. Turn the person on their side to prevent choking from vomiting. If alcohol poisoning is suspected, call 911 immediately.

Spring breakers need not place themselves at risk to have fun. Making smart choices about alcohol consumption can go a long way toward enjoying a well deserved get-away with friends while simultaneously being safe. Families, your support and sharing this information with your student will help ensure that it is a happy, healthy spring break.

Mary Ann Sprouse, Director
Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education