- Facts about Alcohol
Here are some of the most frequent questions we get asked about alcohol by UNH students:
- What is a standard drink size?
- Why do I care about a standard sized drink?
- When is drinking considered high risk?
- As a female, why can't I drink the same as my male friends?
- If I choose to drink, how can I drink safely?
- When is it best not to drink?
- What is alcohol poisoning?
- How does family history of alcoholism affect my alcohol use?
- What is tolerance?
- What is a blackout?
- What happens when you mix alcohol with other drugs?
- What else is there to do at UNH besides party?
- Have questions, want to talk?
What is a standard drink size?
12 oz. Beer
10 oz. of a microbrew
8 oz. of ice beer or malt liquor
4 oz. wine
1.25 oz. of 80 proof liquor, or 1 oz. of 100 proof liquor
Why do I care about a standard sized drink?
A standard drink helps you figure our how much "pure alcohol" you are consuming when you drink. Different drinks have different amounts of alcohol so it is important to know how much alcohol is in a drink, to better calculate Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and to better keep track when drinking.
When is drinking considered high risk?
Drinking any amount can be high risk, even at low doses because it affects judgment and impairment. To be a low risk drinker, remember, not drinking is the safest choice. IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO DRINK, follow these guidelines:
- Men: Drink no more than 0-2 standard sized drinks a day
- Women: Drink no more than 0-1 standard sized drinks a day
- No more than 3 standard sized drinks on any occasion
- Drinking no more than one standard drink per hour (12 oz. Beer, 4 oz. Wine, 1.25 oz. 80 proof liquor).
As a female, why can't I drink the same as my male friends?
Many variables such as body weight, size, how fast you drink, fitness level, whether you’ve eaten & the amount of alcohol consumed will determine the affect alcohol has on an individual.
- Women's response to alcohol may fluctuate during their menstrual cycle & be affected by the use of contraceptives.
- Women have more fat content and less lean muscle mass than men. Lean muscle contains more water which absorbs alcohol from the bloodstream and lowers blood alcohol content. Women absorb alcohol into the bloodstream faster than men and eliminate it slower.
- Women have 1/3 less of alcohol dehydrogenase (enzyme responsible for the breakdown of alcohol) in their bodies.
This means women will:
- Become intoxicated faster
- Feel the effects sooner and longer
- Get addicted with less amount of alcohol & over shorter period of time.
If I choose to drink, how can I drink safely?
Remember that there are many levels of risk, there is legal risk, social and physical risk. Even a small amount of alcohol can increase risk, especially if the user is under 21. It is important to remember that any amount of alcohol can create a problem.
UNH surveys show that:
- 14% of UNH students report they do not drink at all
- About ¼ of all UNH students refrain from drinking on any given week
For more information, visit the New Hampshire Higher Education Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Survey.
When drinking, it is best to drink slowly to slow down the rate of alcohol absorption in the blood stream. Alcohol dehydrates, therefore, you should be well hydrated before you begin to drink and should alternate your drinks with water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Don't forget to eat a meal before drinking.
When is it best not to drink?
- When you are driving
- When you are sick
- When you are tired
- When you are taking any medication (prescription, non-prescription or illicit drugs)
- You have other responsibilities
- If you are angry, sad or depressed
- If you are under the age of 21
- If you are pregnant
What is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is when the body's functions have been severely depressed by the effects of alcohol, enough to produce unconsciousness and in some cases, death.
Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
- Cold clammy skin
- Unconsciousness
- Slowed or irregular breathing
- Vomiting
It can be difficult to determine if a person has alcohol poising or is just "sleeping off" a night of drinking. If ever in doubt, call 911.
If someone you are with is experiencing this it is important that they receive immediate medical attention, call 911.
How does family history of alcoholism affect my alcohol use?
Having alcoholism in the family can put people at higher risk for developing dependence on alcohol. When looking at family history, look most closely at immediate family: parents, grandparents and siblings. People with a biological risk are at four times higher risk for developing alcohol dependency than people who do not have this family history. This increased risk is biological and does not decrease if the person does not live with you, is deceased, or is in recovery.
Research has shown that a person with a biological family history of alcoholism have a higher initial tolerance to alcohol, which may allow them to consume more alcohol initially than someone without an increased biological risk. They may also experience slightly more pleasure and relaxation from alcohol and have a higher risk for dependence. The combination of these put people at a higher risk, though everyone is at some risk for alcohol dependence, depending on how much and how often they use alcohol.
What is tolerance?
Tolerance is the body's way to always feel in control. We develop many different kinds of tolerance, to weather, spicy foods, sugar in our coffee... but our tolerance to alcohol may actually do us harm instead of good.
Everyone is born with an initial tolerance to alcohol, which is the amount of alcohol they can consume before feeling effects beyond relaxation. As a person drinks more alcohol, to feel buzzed or intoxicated, their tolerance will increase so the body can maintain a feeling of control. The more the person drinks, and the more often, the more the tolerance will increase. If a person takes a "break" from drinking, tolerance is likely to decrease.
A high tolerance can look and feel protective because the person may be able to drink more alcohol but still feel "in control", the problem however, is that the person's BAC (blood alcohol concentration) continues to increase. This can put a person in danger of experiencing negative consequences from drinking, even when not feeling very intoxicated.
What is a blackout?
A blackout is an alcohol induced memory loss. Blackouts occur when alcohol blocks neurotransmitters that send memories from short-term memory to long-term memory. This is different from passing out, or drinking to the point of becoming unconscious. When a person is in a blackout they are functioning as normally as another intoxicated person would be functioning. They are able to have conversations and act in ways that does not indicate that they are experiencing a blackout. Blackouts are not identified until the next day, when the person realizes that they are missing part of his/her night. The memory loss can be a few minutes to a few hours, or longer.
Blackouts happen when a person's blood alcohol level (B.A.L.) goes over a certain level. It is different for everybody but it is more likely to occur when a person has a blood alcohol level of over a .15. Remember, in NH, a .08 is the legal limit. Generally, a .15 would be considered quite intoxicated. Blood alcohol levels increase as a person drinks. The more alcohol the person consumes, the higher the level. The body can process about one drink per hour, so any additional drinks add up. At a .15, a person may feel pretty drunk, or maybe not so drunk depending on their tolerance. This is compounded by what they have eaten, how fast they are drinking, what they are drinking, even if they are tired or sick, a male or a female. A person is more likely to have a blackout if they drank fast, achieving a high blood alcohol level quickly.
The obvious problem is that the person can’t remember what they did. If the blood alcohol level was high enough to cause a blackout, it was also high enough to impair other things, like judgment (should I sleep with this person? Should I drive my car? Should I keep on drinking?). This is not the best time to be making important decisions. A blackout is a warning sign from the body that the person had too much to drink. It also makes it difficult for the person to know what went wrong. "How much did I drink?" "Did I get a safe transport home, or was I in danger?" "Was I taken advantage of?"
Few people get blackouts. In fact, 60% of college students in NH indicate never having a blackout. What often happens is, someone has a blackout, which can be scary or at least unsettling. Friends, wanting to help, share stories of their blackouts. It is not unusual for friends to have similar consequences when drinking because they are often drinking together. It makes sense to think that everyone has blackouts, which can be reassuring. But it is a false sense of comfort because really, most people never drink enough to get a blackout.
What happens when you mix alcohol with other drugs?
Mixing alcohol with other drugs (prescription, non-prescription or illegal) is never a good idea. Doing so can lead to:
- Quicker intoxication
- Greater physical and mental impairment
- Increased risk of accidents or death
- Interferance with the effectiness of medications
Mixing alcohol with other drugs such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain killers or antihistamines can be very dangerous, even fatal.
What else is there to do on campus besides party?
Lots! There are many student organizations on campus that support non drinkers.
Have questions or want to talk?
If you have questions about any of the material on this page or concerns about your own or someone else’s use of alcohol, please call (603) 862-3823 to speak with an Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Educator/Counselor. All visits are confidential and covered by the Health Services Fee.
