INTERACTIVE BODY

Trace the flow of alcohol through your body and see how it affects your organs and systems.

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Content provided by College Drinking Prevention

College drinking

Potential consequences of alcohol use and abuse:

Death

The most recent statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimate that about 1,519 college students ages 18 to 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.3

Assault

The most recent NIAAA statistics estimate that about 696,000 students ages 18 to 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.4

Sexual Assault

Although estimating the number of alcohol-related sexual assaults is exceptionally challenging—since sexual assault is typically underreported—researchers have confirmed a long-standing finding that 1 in 5 college women experience sexual assault during their time in college.5 A majority of sexual assaults in college involve alcohol or other substances.6,7 Research continues in order to better understand the relationships between alcohol and sexual assault among college students. Additional national survey data are needed to better estimate the number of alcohol-related assaults.

Academic Problems

About one in four college students report experiencing academic difficulties from drinking, such as missing class or getting behind in schoolwork.8

In a national survey, college students who binge drank alcohol at least three times per week were roughly six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or project as a result of drinking (40 percent vs. 7 percent) than students who drank but never binged. The students who binge drank were also five times more likely to have missed a class (64 percent vs. 12 percent).9

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Around 9 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 meet the criteria for past-year AUD, according to a 2019 national survey.10

Other Consequences

Other consequences include suicide attempts, health problems, injuries, unsafe sexual behavior, and driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as vandalism, damage, and involvement with the police.

Learn more: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022)

Safe alcohol use

You can use alcohol safely, here are some helpful tips:

• Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones
• Don’t drink from a mixed drink you have not witnessed being prepared and don’t accept an open can or bottle you have not witnessed being opened
• Drink slowly
• Appoint a Designated Driver for the night
• Know your limit and plan ahead
• NEVER leave your drink unattended

What is a “drink?”

• 12 oz. beer – 5% alcohol
• 5 oz. wine – 12% alcohol
• 1.5 oz. shot of 80 proof liquor – 40% alcohol

Signs and Symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

Use PUBS:

P – Puking while passed out

U - Unresponsive to pinching or shaking

B – Breathing is shallow or absent

S – Skin is clammy or blue

CALL 911 immediately if you see ANY of the above signs or symptoms

Drug use + abuse

According to a report by researchers at the University of Michigan more than 60% of college-aged individuals have used or are using an illicit substance. These substances include marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, and cocaine, as well as other substances, such as vaping and tobacco use. The risks of use are similar to those experienced when using alcohol as well as the additional risk of arrest and criminal conviction when using illegal substances.

Both alcohol and drug abuse can lead to addiction and increase mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.

Learn More: (hyperlink with title: Drug Abuse Statistics) https://drugabusestatistics.org/

Schulenberg, J.E., et al. (2019). Monitoring the future: National survey results on drug use. (Vol 2). http://www.monitoringthefuture .org/pubs/monographs/mtf-vol2_2019.pdf