Most people are not ignorant enough to think that college students aren't going to drink, even on a dry campus, and even if they're underaged. 57.8% of underaged college students consume alcohol in a period of one month. I have not, myself, been drinking. Nor do I expect any of my friends who read this to be drinking illegally or against campus rules. But even if you don't think you're going to drink, you should still know everything in this blog post, just in case.
Firstly, most campuses provide a car service or escort to help you in situations that you don't find safe. The situation may not even be drinking. It could be that it's late and you don't feel safe walking home alone. Regardless of what you'll be using it for, learn the number for that service and put it in your cell phone.
Also, most campuses follow a Good Samaritan Policy. This basically says, in most circumstances, if you and a friend have been drinking against school policy and/or underaged, they will not hold you accountable for your actions should you call for help of your friend. If you are drinking with your friend and you notice your friend has had so much that you're concerned about his or her health, don't be afraid to get help. Even if you were to get in trouble, your friend's life could be at risk. Many people wait until alcohol poisoning has set in before calling for help, because they were worried about getting in trouble. Don't let that happen.
I encourage everyone to read this simple page about alcohol poisoning. Vomiting is the first sign. Vomiting means that your body is fighting it off, and is preventing more alcohol from entering the system. If you are drinking and you feel like you're going to throw up, don't hold it in. Let yourself throw up, and don't drink any more. By the time you feel like vomiting, you've already had too much.
During and after drinking, drink plenty of water, and eat absorbent foods, like crackers, to help dilute the Blood Alcohol Concentration. this will not sober you up, it will just help prevent the nastier side effects of drinking.
If you are at a party, do not accept open drink containers from someone you don't know and trust. Likewise, do not leave your open drink unattended. Date rape drugs are not an urban myth. This does happen, and it could happen to anyone. If you have left your drink unattended, don't drink it.
Those are the main things that surprisingly few students on campus know about. I won't bore you to death with all the little facts about alcohol and what it can do to you.
Until next time,
Cap'n Kyrie
When did you get so smart?
ReplyDeleteI've had to learn to limit when I drink because it makes me sleepy - but first it makes me stupid. So far the best method I've found is to alternate with full glasses of water. It's an easy system to remember.