Making Choices under the Influence
By Megan
Some girlfriends tell me that they just need a few drinks before going out to a party or to a club. They say that they could never approach a guy that they were interested in if they had not had a few drinks first. Drinking can make us feel uninhibited and care-free. It can give us a feeling of well-being. But, being on top of the world can come at a price, compromising our genuine well-being and leading us to make choices and do things that we would never do otherwise.
Risky Behavior and Alcohol Use
The NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) recently published A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges. According to the report, experts estimate that 1,400 college students (ages 18 to 24) die every year from alcohol-related causes, including drinking and driving. And 500,000 college students suffer nonfatal injuries! More than 150,000 students will develop a health problem related to alcohol use and abuse. About 2.1 million college students drive while under the influence—taking a chance on suffering or causing alcohol related injuries and death. Each year, about 110,000 college students are arrested for an alcohol-related violation, such as driving under the influence. These arrest records follow them for the rest of their lives.[1]
Impaired Decision Making, Rape, and Sexual Violence while under the Influence
Of course, excessive drinking takes a toll on other aspects of our lives and bodies. Young people may be less responsible about safer sex. Experts say that, every year, about 400,000 college students have unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol. More than 70,000 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of sexual assault or date rape, usually alcohol-related. And, more than 100,000 students are too intoxicated to know, later, whether or not they consented to sexual intercourse.[2] A study at Harvard University reported that almost one in 20 (five percent) college women reported being raped; almost three-fourths (72 percent) were raped while they were intoxicated.[3]
Ways to Be Safe
Many times, social events at universities and parties during high school revolve around drinking. Accidents related to drinking are also common. But, no one has to drink or drink to excess to have a good time or feel accepted. If it will make you feel more comfortable, get a drink and “nurse it” all night. In other words, hold a drink in your hands for the rest of the night, if it makes you feel more comfortable to be seen holding one. It doesn’t even have to have any alcohol in it. No one will know.
Just don’t remain in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. It is more than ok to leave any event where any activity makes you feel uncomfortable. Think about this way – feeling uncomfortable may be your deepest instincts trying to keep you safe.
Listen to them.
If you do decide to drink, set limits for yourself on the number of drinks you will have. Also, do not go to parties alone but with a friend you can trust. Set up a buddy-system, where you and your friend check in with each other throughout the night. It is easier for both of you to stay out of potentially dangerous situations if you are looking out for each other. Make sure one friend will abstain from drinking and is the designated driver for that night. Never get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Alcohol is a part of many social situations, but you have the right to be safe, and you have the power to make healthy decisions for yourself.
Online Resources
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s College Drinking Web page http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/default.aspx
Alcoholic’s Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
Bacchus and Gamma Peer Education Network is an international association of college and university based peer education programs focusing on alcohol abuse prevention and other related student health and safety issues.
http://www.bacchusgamma.org/
RAIIN is a national network that addresses rape, abuse, and incest.
http://www.rainn.org/
References
- Hingson RW, Heeren T, Zakocs RC, Kopstein A, Wechsler H. Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18-24. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 63(2):136-144, 2002.
- Ibid.
- Mohler-Kuo M, Dowdall GW, Koss M, Wechsler H. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 2004; 65(1): 37-45.
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