Alcohol

Alcohol abuse poses a variety of potential problems, especially for college students. Taking the initiative to seek out information to become more knowledgeable and responsible with alcohol reveals a great deal of character and maturity.

What is problematic drinking?

Problematic drinking is a broader term that refers to any pattern of alcohol use that causes harm, distress, or negative consequences in a person’s life. This can include:

  • Drinking more than intended
  • Using alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, or emotions
  • Relationship, work, school, legal, or health problems related to drinking
  • Continuing to drink despite negative consequences
  • Binge drinking or heavy drinking patterns
  • Constant cravings for more alcohol
  • Built-up tolerance—your body will need more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect
CONTACT
Location: 16 Einhorn Road
Phone: 508-831-5540

Facts about Alcohol

People experience alcohol differently, and the effects listed below are general examples. Actual impairment may vary based on numerous individual factors

The effects of alcohol are measured by blood alcohol content (BAC), which represents the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream, expressed as a percentage.  For example, .20 BAC is 2 parts alcohol for every 1,000 parts blood. 

Here are some examples of the effects of various BAC levels:

  •  .02: Mellow feeling. Slight body warmth. Less inhibited. For drivers under age in Massachusetts, even a very low BAC can result in legal penalties and license consequences. 
  •  .06: Judgment is somewhat impaired. People are less able to make rational decisions about their capacities. 
  •  .08: Definite impairment to driving and illegal to do so in Massachusetts. 
  • .10: Reaction time and muscle control are impaired. Noisy. Mood swings. Possibly embarrassing behavior. 
  • .20: Severe intoxication. Risk of alcohol blackouts, injury, vomiting, and alcohol poisoning significantly increase.

Standard Drink Sizes

  • 12 oz beer (5% alcohol)
  • 5 oz wine ( 12% alcohol)
  • 1.5oz distilled spirits (40% alcohol)

Recognizing Alcohol Poisoning

No college student wants to think about alcohol poisoning, let alone experience it. It can, however, become a reality when people consume too much alcohol. 

Specific signs of alcohol poisoning include:

  • Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unresponsiveness
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths a minute)
  • Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
  • Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, or paleness

Know the danger signals of alcohol poisoning, but do not wait for all symptoms to be present.  Never leave an unconscious person alone, and do not assume they will “sleep it off.” Do not hesitate to call 911 or campus police at 508-831- 5555.

When to be Concerned

Some students drink to relax, because they don’t know how to say no, or because everyone else is doing it. Regardless of your reason, you should know the signals that drinking is becoming a problem. Ask yourself if you are:

  • Drinking alone because you’re feeling sad or depressed
  • Worrying your family members or friends
  • Drinking even after telling yourself you’re not going to
  • Getting headaches or hangovers the morning after drinking
  • Having difficulties getting to class the morning after drinking
  • Drinking more than you want when you do drink

You should consider meeting with a counselor if any of these are true, or if you:

  • You find it difficult to control how much your drink
  • You drink to cope with stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness or other emotions
  • Alcohol is affecting your classes, work, relationships, or wellbeing
  • Friends or family have expressed concern about your drinking
  • You are concerned about your own drinking or that of a friend

Blood Alcohol Level Calculator

                                                 Are two drinks too many? How about four? Calculate your baseline blood alcohol level (BAC) online.

Services at WPI

Staff members at the Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC) are always willing to speak with you in a professional, non- judgmental—and of course, confidential—way at no cost to you. Services at WPI include:

  • Individual counseling, an honest conversation about alcohol use with a counselor at the SDCC followed by goal-setting to develop healthy lifestyle skills
  • BASICS, a two-part self-assessment, encouraging students to reflect honestly on their use of alcohol and explore the possibility of change
  • Consultation for concerned friends and staff, a confidential discussion about others’ use of alcohol and what you can do to support someone

Read more about alcohol and drug education at WPI. Call 508-831-5540 or stop by the SDCC to make an appointment. Together with a counselor, you can assess how much alcohol is too much and collaborate on specific steps that can help you reduce or stop your drinking. You have a support system in place for making desired changes.

Online Support

Disclaimer

We have included links to other websites and we encourage students to evaluate the materials and use what they find to be helpful. Please keep in mind that WPI cannot assume responsibility for information on other websites.

Information on the web is not intended as a substitute for assistance from the SDCC. For personal assistance, WPI students should contact the SDCC at 508-831-5540 to schedule an appointment with one of our professional staff members.