Alcohol Use

Alcohol use and Alcohol poisoning are two very different topics. Many times a non-emergency situation related to alcohol use can turn into an emergency if you don’t intervene. You might be in a situation where there is heavy drinking that makes you uncomfortable, you may be concerned about someone who is going to drive after drinking, or you may be concerned about a friend’s alcohol use.

Scenarios:

  1. Your friend has just turned 21 and a group of people want to take her out and show her what it means to become an “adult”! She typically doesn’t drink but doesn’t want to let her friends down, especially since they are doing something nice for her. She has asked you to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand. Someone in the group starts ordering shots for her saying, “This is going to be fun to watch.” What do you do?
  2. You go to a party with five of your friends and you've planned ahead with a designated driver. At one point in the party you see your designated driver having a beer. As you’re getting ready to leave you ask him how many drinks he has had and he admits to having three. What do you do?

Make the first move:

  • Respect the right of anyone who chooses not to drink. No one should be forced to drink if they don’t want to.
  • Never let anyone drive after drinking! If you are concerned about your designated driver, help everyone find a safe way home. You can call a sober friend, a cab, or take a USI Safe Ride. Offer to help the friend pick up his car in the morning.
  • “Cut off” a friend when they’ve had enough.
  • Remove a friend from the situation. Take them home if you’re at a party or bar.
  • Provide a friend with non-alcoholic beverages and food.
  • Stay with them to ensure they are alright.
  • Having a conversation with a friend about his alcohol use can be tough. Have the conversation when both of you have not been drinking. Learn more about talking to a friend about alcohol use.
  • Know the appropriate resources on campus for them to seek help.
  • If you are concerned about your own use of alcohol:
    • Take the e-CHUG assessment. This provides you individual feedback on your alcohol use and gives you tips on how to change your behavior.
    • Experiment with drinking less. You might drink on fewer nights of the week, have fewer drinks when you do go out, alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and make sure that you eat before and after drinking.
    • Seek help from a professional.
  • Learn more about what you can do to help your friends if they use alcohol or other drugs.

We express our appreciation to the University of Arizona C.A.T.S. Life Skills Program for allowing us to use modified versions of their STEP UP! Program content in this USI campus initiative.