Alcohol Information

Alcohol can show up at parties, games, concerts and other social spaces. Whether you drink, don鈥檛 drink or are still figuring it out, this page is here to help you make informed choices, reduce risk and look out for yourself and others. Use this information to support the experiences you want to have and stay safer in social situations.听

探花视频 Alcohol and College Life

College culture can come with a lot of assumptions about drinking鈥攍ike everyone does it or that partying every weekend is 鈥渘ormal.鈥 But those ideas don鈥檛 always match reality.听

Curious about your habits?听听

Get about your alcohol use鈥攏o meeting required.听

In fact, 95% of 探花视频 students surveyed say it鈥檚 acceptable to not drink at a party, based on responses from the National College Health Assessment.

Take a moment to reflect:听

  • Where did your ideas about partying come from (friends, family, social media, TV)?听
  • Do those expectations match what you want from your college experience?听

Challenging assumptions can help you make choices that feel more intentional and more aligned with your goals.听

How Alcohol Affects Your Brain and Body

Alcohol impacts your body in stages. The effects can feel subtle at first, but they build as you drink more and they don鈥檛 always show up the same way for everyone.听

First: Thinking is blunted

You might notice:听

  • Reduced social anxiety听
  • Increased positive feelings听
  • Feeling louder, bolder or more energetic听

These early effects can make alcohol feel fun or relaxing, but they can also lower your ability to judge situations clearly.听

Then: Body control is dulled

As alcohol continues to affect your brain:听

  • Motor skills slow (fumbling, slurred speech)听
  • Reaction time and vision are impaired听
  • Social cues are more likely to be misread听
  • Muscle control decreases (stumbling is common)听
  • Sexual function and decision-making are impaired听

This is often when unwanted experiences鈥攍ike injuries, conflicts or consent issues鈥攁re more likely.听

Finally: Basic body functions are affected

At higher levels, alcohol can seriously impact your health:听

  • Inability to stand or stay awake听
  • Vomiting and risk of choking听
  • Passing out听
  • Slowed or impaired breathing and circulation听
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control听
  • Risk of alcohol poisoning and death听

Knowing these stages can help you recognize when someone (including yourself) needs help.听

If You Choose to Drink: Tips to Stay Safer

Set limits and plan ahead
  • Start slow and know your tolerance (it can change in a new environment).听
  • Take breaks and pace yourself.听
  • Have a plan for handling peer pressure or for leaving when you鈥檙e ready.听
Know standard drink sizes
  • 12 oz beer听
  • 5 oz wine听
  • 1.5 oz hard liquor

A 16 oz drink is more than one standard drink.听

solo cups with alcohol proportion sizes
Eat and stay hydrated
  • Eat a meal or snack before drinking.听
  • Drink water throughout the day and night.听
  • Try alternating alcoholic drinks with water.听
Stick to one substance

Using more than one substance at a time鈥攊ncluding alcohol, medications or other drugs鈥攃an increase the risk of overdose and other unwanted experiences. Interactions can be unpredictable and affect people differently.听

Bottom line: Use only one substance at a time.听

Plan a sober ride home
  • Make a plan for getting home before you start drinking.
  • Do not drive after drinking, or get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
  • CU NightRide offers free evening transportation to and from any location within Boulder city limits.

Look out for each other

Buffs look out for each other, whether that鈥檚 supporting limits, getting home safe or stepping in when help is needed. It鈥檚 important to show up for each other, especially when alcohol or other drugs are involved.听

听Most sexual assaults involve someone the person knows. Pay attention if someone is:听

  • Pressuring another person to drink or use more than they want听
  • Initiating sexual contact with someone who is very intoxicated听
  • Isolating someone who鈥檚 had too much or is having a poor experience听
  • Not being clear about what鈥檚 in a drink or drug听

You can also review information for hazing and reporting options.听

If something feels off, trust your gut. Stepping in or getting help can make a real difference.听

Be Ready for Emergencies

Signs of alcohol poisoning or overdose:听
  • Passed out or unresponsive听
  • Slow or no breathing听
  • Vomiting while passed out听
  • Pale, bluish or clammy skin听
  • Gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds听
  • Very small (pinpoint) pupils听
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control听
What to do:听
  • Call 911 immediately听
  • Administer naloxone, even if you鈥檙e unsure about the person鈥檚 condition听
  • Put the person in the 听
  • Stay with the person until help arrives听

Good news: 颁鲍鈥檚 Amnesty Policy and Colorado鈥檚 can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person.听

Find Support

Free substance use workshops: Students can reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances. Workshops are educational, and not therapy or treatment.听

Collegiate Recovery Community: Weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and connection for students considering, pursuing or in recovery from substances and other unwanted behaviors.听

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): Services related to substance use include assessments, brief individual therapy, support for concerned friends and family and referrals to recovery and other community resources.听

Don鈥檛 Ignore It: Learn about reporting, getting support and helping a friend.