High Risk Alcohol Behaviors
Some activities and behaviors come with a higher risk when intoxicated.
Highest risk drinking behaviors include:
- Binge Drinking: For women, 4 or more drinks in one 2 hour period. For men, 5 or more drinks.
- Drinking large amounts in short periods of time
- Participating in drinking games, keg stands, etc
- Drinking in remote or dangerous places
According to NCADD website, compared to a sober person, your risk of a single-vehicle fatal accident is:
- 1.4 times higher if your BAC is .02-.04
- 11.1 times higher if your BAC is .05-.09
- 48 times higher if your BAC is .10-.14
- 380 times higher if your BAC is .15 or higher
Remember!!!! Under the age of 21 a BAC of .02 will result in a DUI-- this means that less than 1 drink could result in you getting a DUI.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2002, over 17,000 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related traffic crashes. This represents about 40% of all traffic-related deaths.
According to a 2002 study (Hingson et al), every year…
- About 400,000 students have unprotected sex while drinking.
- More than 100,000 students report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.
- More than 70,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
- More than 600,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
If you have sex with someone who is intoxicated, his/her ability to consent is in question and you are at risk for being charged with rape or sexual assault.
One fourth of all ER admissions, one third of all suicides, and one half of all homicides and domestic violence incidents are alcohol-related. (NY Newsday, 2002)
Factors that play into these issues include lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, men’s tendency to become more aggressive, and women’s tendency to become more anxious. Date rape drugs can also be a factor.Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning
- Person cannot be awakened
- Person has cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
- Person has slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
- Person is vomiting while passed out and does not wake up
These symptoms are typical of a BAC level in the vicinity of .25-.40. At that level, the depressant effects of alcohol can slow the heart, breathing, etc down to a point where a person enters a coma and may die. However, these deaths don’t represent all deaths from alcohol poisoning. It’s just as common, or maybe even more common, for death to be caused by vomiting while unconscious and choking on it.
These are also symptoms of alcohol poisoning, but at a lower level
These are all things our body does to stop us when we “overdose.” For someone without elevated tolerance, they typically begin to occur at a BAC around the .15 range or above.
- Hangovers
- Vomiting
- Passing out
- Blacking out
What can you do to help someone who shows those symptoms or is at risk for poisoning
- Call 911 if you suspect alcohol poisoning
- Do not leave them alone
- Do not put your friend in bed to sleep it off
- If they pass out, put them on their side to prevent choking on vomit
- If breathing stops, perform CPR or find someone who knows how
Won’t they be pissed if you get them in trouble for being drunk? Probably, but it’s better than letting them choke on their own vomit. Let your friends know that it is ok to call for help on your behalf, and that you won’t be angry. It could save your life! The University of Toledo also has a Student Conduct Amnesty Policy which states:
"A student who seeks medical attention on behalf of themselves or another individual experiencing an alcohol and/or drug related incident, will not be subject to conduct action for the alcohol and/or drug use under the Student Code of Conduct if the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSC&CS) becomes aware of the alcohol and/or drug use solely because the individual(s) sought medical attention."
*Disclaimer: This information is meant to provide education about substance use. The content of this workshop is not meant to replace therapy and is not considered mental health treatment. If you are in crisis or find yourself needing more support please call the UToledo Counseling Center at 419-530-2426 or dial 9-1-1 if it is an emergency.