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What's Your Why?
Take a deeper dive into your relationship with alcohol.
Taking time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and the reasons you may choose to consume can help you have a healthy relationship with the substance, have more of the experiences you want to have, and minimize negative outcomes.
First, think about how your values align with your choice to consume or not to do so…think about the feelings, actions, or benefits you want to experience from using or not consuming. Consider what your expectation is when you use, (e.g., forget about troubles, feel calm, socialize with friends, reduce pain Etc.), also consider things you do not wish to occur (e.g., lose control, memory issues, increased anxiety, academic problems). Pondering this is a start to understanding your motivation for use and deciding whether or not to consume.
Know that our expectations hold a lot of weight on what happens when one consumes alcohol. Researchers who implemented the BAR Lab experiment found that students who did not consume alcohol, though they thought they did, had as much fun and were just as outgoing as those who consumed alcohol. If you choose to drink, do so because it is consistent with your values and not because you feel pressure (invisible or real) to do so.
In Dr. Kelly Crace’s flourishing information he distinguishes between wants, values and needs. When we focus on our wants or needs, we tend to distance ourselves from the mindset that is needed to drink responsibly or whether to drink at all. “I like to party, or I want to drink with my friends, or I need to get wasted after the week I’ve had” make us vulnerable to checking out mentally and not managing our behavior. When the decision is more aligned with our values, we are more engaged and healthier in our thinking. I may value being with my friends who like to drink or I may value being celebratory after a week of hard work. But at the values level, it allows us to honor other values, such as our value of being healthy, our value of relating at a deeper level, or our value of getting the most out of our celebration without the disruptive effects of overindulgence. If I deeply value my time with my best friend or partner at the end of the week to process the week and support each other, and if that happens to include a glass of wine or my favorite drink, the probability is higher that I will manage that drink well. But if I NEED a drink at the end of the week to decompress, then the chances are higher that I will not manage that drink (or drinks) well.
Other considerations
Know what you are drinking
Standard drinks contain approximately the same amount of alcohol and are helpful in estimating blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This means that 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof alcohol, all contain approximately the same amount of alcohol. It is important to understand standard-size drinks because the liver typically processes one standard-size drink per hour. Additionally, alcohol is not always served in the same size container as a standard drink. The Alcohol Beverage Volume (ABV) in craft beers, wines, liquors, and mixed drinks are not always equivalent to the ABV of a standard drink. While your liver processes the alcohol, the remaining amount runs through the bloodstream and has been shown to alter one’s visual function and perceptions, one’s ability to process information Etc. at certain levels. High BAC levels increase one’s chance for negative outcomes.
Avoid Mixing
Using one substance at a time is more likely to result in a safer experience. Mixing two or more substances can make it challenging to predict what is going to happen or how you will be affected. Furthermore, two or more substances used together can result in adverse side effects. Play it safe by only using one substance at a time. Be aware that most medications caution Do Not Drink with Alcohol.
Reduce your risk
Consuming alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal. If you choose to drink alcohol, there are several ways to minimize negative consequences including:
- Plan your night out
- Know your limit: Set a drink limit and stick to it
- Eat before and while drinking
- Pace yourself at 1 drink per hour (drinking water or non-alcohol beverages between alcoholic ones can help)
- Avoid intentional excessive drinking
- Avoid drinking games
- Be aware of unfamiliar drinks (do not consume from open containers)
- Do not leave your drink unattended
- Respect a person’s decision not to drink
- Have a Designated Driver or rideshare prepared
Know the signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Excessive alcohol consumption can result in a dangerous consequence like alcohol poisoning/ overdose. An alcohol poisoning/overdose occurs when there is a high blood alcohol concentration, meaning there is too much alcohol in the bloodstream, and vital organs are compromised. This can sometimes be fatal. It is important when you are engaging in risky alcohol consumption with friends to know the signs of alcohol poisoning. The following are signs of alcohol poisoning. Be mindful that it's not your job to decide if someone is “okay” and needs to sleep it off. If you see any signs, call for assistance.
- Alcohol poisoning/overdose, symptoms/signs:
- Confusion
- Slow or no reflexes or response
- Difficulty or inability to remain conscious
- Vomiting
- Trouble breathing
- Clammy, pale, or bluish lips
- Seizures
- What should I do while you wait for assistance?
Activity #2
Discussion Questions:
Please take a moment to discuss with a partner or small group why you drink, or choose not to drink if you are attending an event where alcohol will be present. |
There are truly infinite reasons individuals choose to consume alcohol William & Mary respects students' autonomy with the caveat of making an informed decision which we discussed earlier and being able to live with the consequences. There are always consequences for our actions whether they be negative or positive. One thing individuals often fail to do when making a decision is to consider the consequences. Yes, we consider what can go right, but often what can go array is minimized, especially when we are younger and feel invincible. Often the expectation overrides the inhibiting cues especially when alcohol is present.
If you are attending an event where alcohol will be present, one of the most important things to consider is planning. If you recall, planning was one of the things you can do to reduce your risk of having a negative experience when drinking.
Activity #3
Create a plan:Take a moment to create a plan following the timeline before, during, and after attending an event where alcohol will be present. While you make the plan, consider the potential for negative consequences. Discuss with a partner or small group and invite participants to share their responses. Facilitator note: If possible in your presentation setting, write the three columns "before, during, and after" on a board and record responses so that your participants can reflect on ideas they may not have considered when making their plan. |
Thanks for taking the time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol, making a plan for attending an event where alcohol will be present, and considering motivation and consequences as you start your journey using a Wellness Mindset approach.