The differences between men and women when drinking becomes clearer as they drink more.  Although men and women drink as often, men are physically able to handle larger quantities.

Proactive and risk-preventative behaviour comes down to making informed decisions about how much you can handle.

If you are women, and you choose to drink, this article is for you!

Facts

“Sometimes when you drink too much, you forget what you know...”

Here are some tips if you choose to drink:

• Consume a maximum of 1 alcoholic drink an hour
• Space your alcoholic drinks with water
• Do not drive a car after drinking
• Do not take a ride with a driver who has been drinking
• Recognize that everyone has the right to abstain from drinking
• If you drink underage, you could pay the consequences of breaking the law

Emotions...

“Most of the time I can deal with life. But there are nights when I can’t fall asleep no matter how hard I try. There are days when all I want to do is stay in bed. I suppose everyone goes through this, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed..”

People who are suffering emotionally may use alcohol or other drugs as an attempt to escape, to self-medicate. Depression can precede alcohol use.

If you are using alcohol (or other drugs) to “help” you get through the day…get help! The campus counselling centre or health service departments are both available for this. The people there are trained to help you feel better. You won’t be told to “snap out of it”, as they will recognize you are not alone with feeling the way you do. There is real help available but sometimes the hardest thing to do is ask for help -  if you think you may have a problem, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Effects of Alcohol

“ I was playing caps at a party last week. Most of the people were playing with me were guys…so anyway, we had played for about an hour, we were laughing, having a great time, and all of a sudden it hit me, I mean, I was really drunk…”

• We may become more intoxicated than men after drinking the same amount of alcohol, even when we weigh the same. (Why? We generally have less body fluid and more body fat. Therefore, we typically dilute alcohol more slowly.)
• Also, it is important to be aware that every body is different.  Two people, whether both men or both women, will necessarily be able to handle different amounts of alcohol.  Know your own limits.
  
• Studies show that women tend to be affected more by alcohol right before their period.
• If you are taking birth control pills, you may feel the effects of alcohol longer.

Health

“My friends and I spend all this time trying to be healthy. That’s why I have a hard time understanding when people I know go out and really use alcohol...two, three times a week...”

Here are some facts about heavy alcohol use (more than once a week, and more than 5 drinks in one sitting):

• Research indicates that the majority of students (63%) drink twice per month or less often*. Most students are not participating in this behaviour.
• Alcohol use can result in your body’s inability to use vitamins and calcium. That affects your general health.
• Continued abuse can result in dull skin and hair, aggravated acne and dandruff.
• Heavy drinking can cause anemia, malnutrition, stomach irritation, cirrhosis of the liver and low resistance to other diseases.

You have a choice to make a choice

What are my drinking limits? (Take into consideration when, where, what and with whom)

 Why (What are my motives my drinking)

How is my safety assured? (E.g. no getting into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking)

Many women have found a way to make their decisions about alcohol a positive aspect of their college/university experience. You can too.

Brought to you by BACCHUS Canada, a division of The Student Life Education Company. www.bacchusmembers.com