Safe Drinking
The St. Olaf College campus is dry, however, should you choose to go off campus to drink the Wellness Center urges you to do so responsibly. Check out the information below to help keep you safe.
What is a drink?
A standard drink is a twelve ounce bottle of beer or wine, one five ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
What is binge drinking?
Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women at one time. Binge drinking can take on many forms:
Drinking a lot in a short amount of time, Drinking a lot...period, playing drinking games, reaching a very high blood alcohol level, experiencing problems as a result of drinking (motor skills, slurred speech, etc.)
High blood alcohol levels create a number of risks including:
alcohol related injuries or death, unplanned pregnancy, legal problems, transmission of STDs (including HIV), acquaitance rape, and many other dangerous situations.
Make responsible choices about drinking. Don't drink if:
You don't really want to; you are upset, anxious, or angry;you are using other drugs (presecribed, over the counter, or others); there is a chance of unintended or unwanted sexual activity, you are pregnant or think you might be, you'll be driving.
Tips for responsible drinking:
1. Drink slowly and allow time between drinks.
2. Eat food before and while you drink.
3. Drink water or juice between alcoholic drinks.
4. Stop when you've reached your limit.
5. Watch your drink at all times and do not accept drinks from others.
6. Plan how you will get home and have a designated driver.
7. Don't mix alcohol with medication or drugs.
8. Avoid drinking games.
