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Alcohol Is the Most Commonly Used Substance on College Campuses

For many students, college is the first time they encounter alcohol in social settings.

Some students choose to drink.

Others choose not to.

Regardless of your personal decision, understanding how alcohol affects the body can help you make informed choices and recognize when someone may need help.

The purpose of this article is not to encourage or discourage drinking. It is to provide factual information so you can better understand alcohol and reduce your risk of harm.

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What Is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a depressant.

That does not mean it causes depression.

A depressant is a substance that slows activity in the central nervous system.

As alcohol enters the bloodstream, it begins affecting the brain and body by slowing communication between nerve cells.

As a result, alcohol can affect:

• Judgment
• Coordination
• Reaction time
• Balance
• Memory
• Speech
• Decision-making

The more alcohol a person consumes, the greater these effects become.

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What Is a Standard Drink?

One of the biggest misconceptions among college students is that one drink is always equal to one serving.

In reality, drinks come in many different sizes and alcohol concentrations.

In the United States, a standard drink contains approximately 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol.

A standard drink is generally equal to:

• 12 ounces of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
• 5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol)
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits such as vodka, rum, whiskey, or tequila (about 40% alcohol)

Many mixed drinks contain more than one standard drink.

Large cups, oversized cocktails, and drinks with multiple shots of liquor may contain two, three, or even more standard drinks.

Without realizing it, someone may consume far more alcohol than they intended.

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Why Alcohol Affects Everyone Differently

There is no universal number of drinks that affects everyone the same way.

Several factors influence how alcohol affects an individual, including:

• Body weight
• Biological sex
• Age
• Food consumed before drinking
• Rate of alcohol consumption
• Medications
• Overall health
• Individual differences in metabolism

For example, someone who drinks two beverages over several hours after eating a meal may experience different effects than someone who drinks the same amount quickly on an empty stomach.

Comparing yourself to others is not a reliable way to judge impairment.

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What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?

Blood Alcohol Concentration, often called BAC, measures the amount of alcohol present in a person’s bloodstream.

As BAC increases, alcohol has a greater effect on the brain and body.

Higher BAC levels generally result in:

• Poorer judgment
• Slower reaction time
• Reduced coordination
• Increased risk-taking
• Difficulty making decisions
• Slurred speech
• Impaired driving ability

BAC continues to rise as alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream.

A person may continue becoming more impaired even after they have stopped drinking.

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Common Myths About Alcohol

There are many myths about alcohol that can lead to unsafe decisions.

Myth: “I can sober up quickly by drinking coffee.”

Fact: Coffee may help someone feel more awake, but it does not reduce BAC or remove alcohol from the body.

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Myth: “A cold shower sobers you up.”

Fact: Cold showers do not speed up alcohol metabolism.

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Myth: “If I don’t feel drunk, I’m okay.”

Fact: Alcohol can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time before a person realizes how impaired they have become.

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Myth: “I can build a tolerance, so alcohol isn’t affecting me.”

Fact: Some people may feel fewer noticeable effects because of tolerance, but alcohol still affects the brain and body. Tolerance does not eliminate impairment or reduce the health risks associated with drinking.

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Making Informed Decisions

Understanding alcohol begins with understanding what you’re consuming.

Knowing what counts as a standard drink, recognizing that alcohol affects everyone differently, and understanding the basics of BAC can help you make informed decisions and recognize situations where someone may be at risk.

Education is one of the most effective tools for preventing alcohol-related harm.

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Reflection Activity

Consider the following questions:

• Before reading this article, did you know what counted as a standard drink?
• Which factor do you think has the greatest impact on how alcohol affects a person?
• Which alcohol myth surprised you the most?
• How might understanding standard drinks help someone make safer decisions?

Take a few moments to write down your responses or discuss them with someone you trust.

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Explore More

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

Rethinking Drinking (NIAAA)
https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
https://www.samhsa.gov

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Coming Up Next

In the next article, we’ll discuss binge drinking, blackouts, alcohol poisoning, and how to recognize when alcohol use has become a medical emergency.

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

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Disclaimer

All content on the RTT Virtual Hub is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, or professional advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing an alcohol-related emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are struggling with alcohol use or have concerns about your drinking, contact your campus health center, counseling services, or call or text 988 for support.