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Did you know?
47.2% of ASU students do not drink alcohol (did not drink in the past 30 days).
79.1% of ASU students either did not drink alcohol, or consumed between 1 and 4 alcohol-containing drinks the last time they partied or socialized.
Among ASU students who drink alcoholic beverages:
73.1% always use a designated driver when they drink.
65.1% always stay with the same group of friends the entire time when they drink.
80.8% usually eat before and/or while drinking.
69.7% usually keep track of the number of drinks they are having.
Source: American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment: Arizona State University Spring 2019. Baltimore: American College Health Association; Spring 2019 (n=2,096).
Choosing Not to Drink
46% of ASU Metro Campus students surveyed had not consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days. There are many reasons ASU students choose not to drink for today, for the time-being, for a lifetime:
What is Responsible Use of Alcohol?
Most ASU students who choose to drink alcohol do so responsibly. Responsible drinkers take one or more of the following actions each time they drink:
What is a Drink?
It is important to know what is considered a drink, as this helps us to avoid heavy use of alcohol and recognize heavy use in others.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and your health. Available at https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/Default.aspx.
How Much is Too Much?
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide the following guide:
Source: The US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020. Appendix 9. Alcohol. Available at: https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-9/ .
What is a Hangover?
A hangover is the body’s reaction to the toxic effects of and withdrawal from alcohol.
Avoid hangovers—The best way to avoid hangovers is to choose NOT TO drink alcohol. If you choose to drink, reduce hangovers by drinking responsibly.
What is alcohol poisoning?
One of the most concerning risks associated with alcohol use is alcohol poisoning. It is important to watch out for each other and call 9-1-1 when someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. Alcohol poisoning is caused by:
Use the acronym "STEP-UP" to remember the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
S – Seizure
T – Throwing Up
E – Erratic or slow breathing
P – Pale skin or cold and Clammy
U – Unconsciousness, semi-consciousness, disoriented
P – Pinch the skin with no response.
If you notice even just 1 of these signs, take action:
Most importantly -- don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 to get medical help.
ASU has put into place a Good Samaritan Protocol, to further advance our Community of Care. Under the Good Samaritan protocol, students and/or organizations that seek assistance for themselves or others should do so without fear of university disciplinary action. Both students under and above the legal drinking age are expected to contact ASU Community Assistants, ASU Police, or seek medical attention by calling 9-1-1 when assistance is needed for an intoxicated/impaired student.
You may not know the full story. It could be more serious than you think.
The person could be reacting to:
Take action quickly. Someone's life is in your hands and you may have just seconds to act.
Your best decision is to take action to save a life. You won't regret that decision.
Learn more by taking:
AlcoholEdu – Designed to assist students to think critically about choices related to alcohol use and understand the risks associated with underage and high-risk drinking.
STEP UP ASU! – Designed to introduce students to the bystander phenomenon and empower them to step up and do something to help a fellow member of the ASU community when they observe a problem.
How much is too much?
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide the following guide for alcohol use:
| Women | Men |
High-risk | 4+ per day or 8+ per week | 5+ per day or 15+ per week |
Binge | 4+ within 2 hours | 5+ within 2 hours |
Heavy | 8+ per week | 15+ per week |
Based on the chart above, should alcohol consumption be a concern? Take either of the assessments listed below to help you determine how alcohol could affect your well-being.
Alcohol E-Checkup to Go – is a self-guided brief assessment tool that takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and can assist you to examine and re-think your alcohol use.
ScreenU Alcohol - A confidential and anonymous screening tool designed to help students understand immediate and long-term risk of alcohol.
CAGE self-test - Assessment to determines if drinking is problematic. Answer the following questions according to your feelings or behavior throughout your life.
If you answered “Yes” to two or more of these questions, you are at risk of problem drinking or alcoholism.
If you answered “Yes” to one or fewer of these questions, you are at low risk of problem drinking.
Source: Counseling Center Research Staff. (2013, November). Welcome to the CAGE Questionnaire, A Screening Test for Alcohol Dependence. In Counseling Resource. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/drug-testing/alcohol-cage/
Find the help and support meets your needs.
ASU Counseling Services provides help and support for students who would like to examine and reduce their alcohol use.
As a friend, be aware of behaviors and express concerns without making judgmental comments.
If your friend's behavior is concerning you, remember to express concern in a non-judgmental, empathetic manner. Encourage them to complete Alcohol E-Checkup to Go –. This self-guided brief assessment takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and can assist your friend to evaluate and re-think their alcohol use.
ASU Counseling Services provides help and support for students who would like to examine and reduce their alcohol use.
For more information on how to help a family member or friend visit: NCADD.org
Socializing On and Off Campus
All guests and hosts are accountable for following ASU alcohol policies, State of Arizona laws (title 4 – alcoholic beverages), city ordinances (Tempe, AZ – Social Host Ordinance), and may experience costly and challenging consequences for not adhering to social responsibilities and regulations.
Policies and Procedures:
Arizona State University strives to a create safe and healthy learning and living environments in which underage drinking, high risk alcohol use and illegal drugs do not interfere with student’s academic and personal success. All members of the ASU student community should become familiar with policies and expectations about substance abuse to guide their decisions.
Arizona Laws:
Arizona has many regulations regarding alcohol use and sales. The following websites can assist you in becoming familiar with these laws. Note that this is not a comprehensive list, and is meant to guide you in finding laws that are relevant to this area.
To learn more about alcohol:
National Institutes on Alcohol and Alcoholism – A division of the National Institutes of Health. The NIAAA website provides extensive information on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, as well as related research and prevention efforts.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – Believes all people suffering from alcoholism and addiction deserve the chance to be helped for a healthier and more productive life.
To find help and support:
ASU Counseling Services (eoss.asu.edu/counseling) offers confidential time-limited professional counseling and crisis services for students. For after hours or weekends EMPACT’s 24 hour ASU-dedicated crisis hotline can be reached at 480-921-1006
ASU Recovery Rising, Collegiate Recovery Program (RecoveryRising@asu.edu) aims to connect students in recovery, interested in recovery, and those who want to support someone in recovery through events, open round table discussions, and campus recovery meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous – Meet with a group of individuals who share their experiences, strength, and hope to solve their common problems and help each other recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Website allows searches for meetings by day, city, or young people (YP) meeting times and other criteria.
Al-Anon – meet with a group of individuals whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use. Learn together to cope and face the challenges that this experience has brought into their lives through sharing and support.
Step Up! - Enhance your understanding of and commitment to use effective methods to intervene to help someone who is in harm’s way..