Students' drinking habits assessed during on-campus event

College students get a bad rap when it comes to drinking. However, not every college student drinks excessively or dangerously. But just to make sure, Wellness and Health Promotion Services coordinates a monthly alcohol use screening in front of the Library. After about an hour of setting up on Wednesday, the screening process commenced.

Although National Alcohol Screening Day is a nationally recognized event, the Wellness and Health Promotion Services decided it would benefit students on a larger scale to host the screening once a month.

 "Going to college and drinking a certain way is a rite of passage for some. They are shocked when we tell them they are drinking in a high-risk manner," program coordinator Stephanie Spies said.

Peer advocates were on site recruiting passersby to take the survey. Students who were worried about the results were assured that the screening was 100 percent anonymous.

"Usually we see from 75-to-150 students," Spies said. A total of 81 students partook in the screening process on Wednesday.

Peer advocates also gave out prizes for participating including T-shirts, water bottles, backpacks and cups adorned with the Wellness and Health Promotion Services' "Party Smart" slogan.

After the 5-minute survey, the form is audited and the student is ushered to a private area to speak to a clinical provider to discuss their risks along with personalized feedback and tips.

The scoring is a quick process. The student fills out a 10-question survey that asks about their alcohol consumption during the past year. Each answer is given a certain amount of points. A score between one and seven indicates low risk. If one scores between eight and fifteen they are considered a moderate risk drinker. Students within this range are more likely to experience hangovers, nausea and vomiting.

If a surveyed totaled between 16 and 19 points the student is at a high risk drinking level. In addition to hangovers, nausea and vomiting, negative consequences may also include driving under the influence along with missing class and/or work.

Finally, a score of 20-40 indicates very high risk. High-risk student-drinkers experience the consequences listed above along with later regretting their actions, having memory loss, arguing or fighting, being criticized and scoring poorly on tests.

However, few students are found to be very high risk drinkers.

"According to our Alcohol Screening Day data, most students score in the low risk range," Spies said.

The clinical provider closed each session by distributing a blood alcohol content card to each student so they could use it as a guideline to reduce heavy or any drinking.

"Students love getting the cards. They are easy to use. They love to see they are moderating their drinking," substance abuse therapist Dina Orlando said.

The BAC card is small enough to fit in anyone's wallet. Since BAC is different for men and women, a different card is distributed to each sex. To use the card, one has to figure out the numbers of hours he or she had been drinking. Next, their weight must be located on top of the chart. Then, find the number of drinks consumed on the left column of the chart. The intersection of the two numbers is one's estimated BAC level.

There are three zones: gold, white and red. The clinical providers encourage students to keep to the gold zone. By doing so, one experiences zero loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. One may also sense a feeling of relaxation, lower inhibitions, some minor impairment of reasoning and memory in addition to lowering of cautions.

Junior business major Kelvin Phillips completed the survey and learned that he is considered a low-risk drinker.

"I was pretty comfortable with my drinking level, I know when to stop," Phillips said. "Maybe I just drink in inappropriate situations."

To become a more responsible drinker, Phillips promised himself to keep an eye on his designated drivers. He also decided to think twice before driving a car himself, even if he thinks he is all right.

After the survey and counseling session were complete, students were encouraged to participate in the activities at the Healthy Knights Gazebo.

Freshman radio/television major Tori Thorpe is a low-risk drinker according to the survey, but admitted that the freedom of college allows students to drink more because they don't have to worry about "going home to mom."

Thorpe took part in a drink pouring exercise in which students made drinks to see how much they're really consuming.

Bottles such as Pinnacle Whipped and Malibu were filled with non-alcoholic liquids. Students were asked to fill their cup with artificial ice and pour the typical amount of liquid that they would a drink.

"I made a drink out of whiskey. I thought I made one drink but it was really two," Thorpe said.

The clinical providers emphasized what a standard drinks consists of: 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor, 1 ounce of 100-proof liquor, 12 ounces of beer, or about 5 ounces of wine.

Other strategies students can choose to reduce negative consequences associated with alcohol includes the obvious: choose not to drink. But, partying in college will never become obsolete. For those prone to drinking, clinical providers condone using a designated driver and keeping track of drinks. A popular suggestion made for females is to wear ponytail holders or bracelets on one wrist and for each drink, move one to the other wrist.

When drinking, students should say no to drinking games to avoid excessive consumption. Another suggestion is to alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks. For example, for every drink of vodka one drinks, follow it with a glass of water. Eating before and/or while drinking is also important to avoid negative consequences. Always ask a friend to let you know when you've had enough.

"They [students who drink] should also consider making an appointment in our office for a free assessment and brief intervention," Spies said.

For more information or to make an appointment with the Wellness and Health Promotion Services call their office at 407-823-0879.