Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I miss class or work due to a hangover from drinking?
- Do I drink to feel comfortable at a party?
- Do I drink for "liquid courage" (self-confidence)?
- Does drinking harm my relationships with friends?
- Do I drink to become drunk (intoxicated)?
- Do I drink to ease stress from studies, family problems or relationships issues?
- Do I feel guilty after drinking?
- Does it bother me when someone tells me I drink too much?
- Do I attempt to justify my drinking?
- Have I ever experienced memory loss (blackout) from drinking?
- Have I ever been to the hospital or arrested for drinking?
- Do I need to drink in order to have fun at a party?
If you answered ‘yes’ to some of these questions, you have some of the symptoms that indicate a problem with alcohol. If you think you might have a drinking problem, chances are you do. However, many students have the mindset that all their friends drink and that they are no different than most college students. Gee…does this sound like an attempt to justify drinking?
"If alcohol is causing you problems, you have a problem with alcohol."
Additional Warning Signs
- Drinking to escape or to solve problems
- Making promises to oneself or others "to cut down on drinking"
- Drinking for the sole purpose of getting intoxicated
- Getting drunk frequently – every week
- Experiencing academic or job difficulties related to drinking
- Gulping or "chugging" drinks
- Drinking before you go to the party
- Experiencing blackouts – not recalling events at the party
- Drinking tolerance has increased – it takes more alcohol to reach the desired effect
- Feeling guilty (or regret) after drinking
What About Moderation?
Most of alcohol’s harmful effects are a result of drinking too much. Always keep in mind that if you are under age 21, there are negative consequences for ANY amount of alcohol you consume. If you choose to drink – consider moderation.
Decide what you want from drinking alcohol
- Think about the pros and cons (short and long term) for drinking in moderation versus maintaining consumption at your current level.
- What do you absolutely want to avoid when you drink?
- What would it be like to go to a party and not drink – could I still have fun?
Set drinking limits
- One common guideline is to limit yourself to one drink an hour, which is the average rate that our bodies absorb alcohol.
- At what point do you decide you have had enough?
- How many days each week will you not drink?
Count your drinks and monitor your drinking behavior
- Try it! Most people are surprised by what they learn when they actually count how much they drink.
- Observe your behavior as if you were standing outside yourself and watching how you act when drinking.
Change how and what you drink
- Switch to drinks that contain less alcohol.
- Slow down your pace of drinking - recall the one drink per hour idea?
- Alternate drinking nonalcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages.
- Eat before you drink – foods with protein work best.
Manage your drinking in the moment
- Stay awake and aware of how you drink and what you are thinking when you are at a party.
- Choose what is right for you!
Stay In Control – You’re Worth It!
