Other Factors to Consider
The biological and genetic predisposition to use, belief system and personality, and expectations about the effects of alcohol are factors that affect drinking behaviors among college students.
h3. Genetic Factors
A person’s baseline tolerance for alcohol is about 90% determined by heredity. (Miller, William R. Ph.D) Know your family history. First-degree relatives of treated alcoholics have a two-four times higher risk of becoming alcoholic. (Cotton 1997).
Age
Age at which someone begins to drink- Several nationwide surveys indicate that more than 40% of persons who initiated drinking before age 15 were diagnosed with alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
Mood and Emotion
Anxiety, depression, and anger increase with the use of alcohol and symptoms of emotion can be exacerbated as the blood alcohol content goes up. (This usually happens around .07-.08.)
Mixing alcohol with Other Drugs
Mixing alcohol with other drugs- such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, hormonal medications, antihistamines, stimulants, insulin ect… can have serious side effects.
Carbonated Beverages
Alcohol mixed with carbonated beverages will increase the intoxication effect. Drinking alcohol with caffeinated or energy drinks such as “Red Bull” can mask the intoxication, and confuse your body and organ functions. Think of it as taking a stimulant and a depressant at the same time.
Keep Food in Your Stomach
Drinking on an empty stomach will speed up the absorption rate. Eat a meal with proteins.
Time in Which Drinks are Consumed
Drinking quickly, having consecutive drinks or shots, participating in drinking games can lead to intoxication very quickly at dangerous levels.
Amount of Sleep
Lack of sleep will intensify the effects of alcohol.
Pre-Party
Pre-gaming or pre-partying before an event usually leads to over drinking. Be aware of how much you are drinking and sip, space, and socialize.
Drinking Intentions
Going out with the intention to get buzzed. (Usually getting buzzed means you are at or slightly above the legal limit and intoxicated. Anyone is vulnerable to legal consequences at a .08). If you find your self in a pattern of hanging with competitive drinkers, or high-risk drinkers, those consistently at 6 or more it is time to take a step back.
Take at least 30 seconds before going out to think about the above factors before you make the decision to drink. For women this means PMS.
P – Personally how am I doing: physically, spiritually, emotionally, academically, sexually, and socially.
M – Make healthy choices and have a plan.
S – Safe evening with healthy self discoveries about socializing.