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Women, Men, and Alcohol
There are a number of biological differences between
the way that women and men process alcohol. These differences
contribute to a higher blood alcohol level in women, which may
increase the risk of negative consequences.
• Women have less body water in which to dilute the alcohol consumed, so a woman’s blood alcohol level (BAC) will be higher than a man’s BAC even if they weigh the same.
• Women have smaller quantities of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down alcohol in the stomach. A woman will absorb about 30% more alcohol into her bloodstream than a man of the same weight who has consumed an equal amount, which results in greater intoxication for the woman.
• The weight of a person greatly affects the distribution of alcohol in the bloodstream; the smaller the person, the less room for alcohol to distribute itself. This means that the blood alcohol level of a small person will be higher than that of a larger person.
Effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration
.02% Light-headed
.05% Warm and Relaxed
.08% Judgment Impaired, Legally Drunk
.10% Lack of Coordination and Balance
.15% Possible Blackout (Memory Loss)
.20% Vomiting
.25% Emotionally and Physically Numb
.30% Drunken Stupor
.40% Coma
Click here to Calculate Your Own BAC or Blood Alcohol Concentration
If You Suspect Alcohol Poisoning:
1) Wake the person up. Call his or
her name; shake; pinch skin. If the person doesn't respond, get
help!
2) Turn and keep the person on his or
her side to prevent choking on vomit.
3) Check the person's skin.
If SKIN IS PALE, BLUISH, COLD, OR CLAMMY,
GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.
4) Check the person's breathing. If
it is irregular or too slow (less than 8 breaths per minute or more
than 10 seconds between breaths), get help!
5) If you discover any one of the
above symptoms, stay with the person and call 911. It is important
to get help immediately.
IF IN DOUBT, CALL THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER 24/7 AT 458-4501.
Caring for Someone Who Is Intoxicated:
Stay With The Person---They may be drunker than they appear and can become unconscious or fall out of bed.
Lie The Person On Their Side---Reduces risk of choking on vomit.
Give Water To Drink---If awake and not vomiting.
Only Time Will Sober Them Up---Do not give them coffee, ibuprofen, aspirin or put them in a cold shower.
The Student Health Center offers confidential care 24/7. If in doubt call 458-8401.
Remember...Alcohol Overdose can be fatal.
W&L Brochure---Having a Party? Safe Choices Take Planning
Party Without Regrets
- Go out in groups and make a plan about getting home
- Decide the number of drinks you will have prior to drinking-stick to it-count number of drinks-spread them out over the evening!
- Space drinks to one or less per hour
- Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks & drink plenty of water
- Agree before you go out who will be the sober driver
- Watch your friends-if you came together and want to leave make sure they have a plan to get home safely
- Avoid drinking games
- Always eat before and during alcohol consumption
- Women are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol
- Pour your own drinks-don't share with others or set your down
- Just because someone is in your class doesn't mean you know them as well as you think you may-think about the situation... make clear decisions...
- Have a designated driver. Never drink and drive. Never ride with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Use Traveller or a Sober Driver at a fraternity party.
- Say "No Thanks," if you don't want to continue drinking or just hold a cup with a non-alcoholic beverage.
- Participate in activities like dancing, talking, and eating to take the focus off alcohol
How to "Throw" a Party and Treat Your Guests to a Safe Time
- Get your noise permit and be able to socialize until midnight vs. 11pm---remember to keep the noise level down
- Collect keys at the door
- You, as the host, are responsible for keeping your guests safe. You may be liable if anyone is injured.
- Do not allow an intoxicated person to continue to consume alcoholic beverages
- Serve plenty of high-protein, non-salty food like cheese and meat---these foods stay in the stomach longer, slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream
- Provide non-alcoholic beverages
- Stop serving alcohol about 1 hour before the party is over
- Have impaired friends spend the night or find your guests rides. Use Traveller or sober drivers.
- Stay sober yourself. You might have to deal with an emergency.
Sometimes people consume more alcohol than they intend to because they are
not familiar with some simple moderation techniques. There are many ways to slow
consumption and absorption of alcohol. Some techniques include:
sip using a can
cooler or insulated cup to keep your drink cold
count your drinks
take more time
for each drink
avoid drinking contests or games
avoid trying to
keep up with fast drinkers
pour your drink and do not leave unattended
ice beverages so they stay fresh
alternate with
non-alcoholic beverages
mix your own
drinks to control a lower alcohol content
Low Risk Drinking Guidelines
0 - not drinking is always an option
1 - one drink per hour
2 - two times per week
3 - three drinks per occasion
Individuals struggling with problem drinking may experience one or more of the following:
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Tolerance (more is needed to get the same effect).
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Decreasing academic performance as a result of drinking.
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Negative social consequences as a result of drinking.
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Lifestyle changes to accommodate use.
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Choosing friends based on drinking behavior.
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Drinking alone.
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Rationalizing use to friends.
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Not remembering things one did while intoxicated.
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Desire to control, or unsuccessful efforts to control excessive drinking.
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Getting angry when confronted about drinking.
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Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence |
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| Neglect of other Activities | Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use; |
| Excessive Use | Alcohol is consumed in larger amounts over a longer period than intended; |
| Impaired control | Ongoing, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol consumption; |
| Persistence of Use | Alcohol consumption is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely caused or exacerbated by alcohol; |
| Large Amounts of Time Spent in Alcohol Related Activities | A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain, use or recover from the effects of alcohol; |
| Withdrawal | Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking; |
| Tolerance | The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects. |
Some students may think that partying on the weekend has no negative effects on their academics as long as they leave time on Sundays to study. However, alcohol takes a long time to "clear" the system, and the effects of alcohol on the mind and body can last into the next day. This would make concentrating on a tough project or studying for an exam much more difficult.
For example, if a 120 pound woman has 4 drinks, it will take almost 10
hours for her blood alcohol level to return to zero (meaning no alcohol
remains in the blood stream).
If a 180 pound man has 6 drinks, it will take 8 hours for his
blood alcohol level to return to zero. Although blood alcohol levels can rise
quickly, it takes longer for blood alcohol levels to come down.
Selective laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The minimum legal age for the PURCHASE, POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION of alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age.
Law Penalties
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MIP---Minor in Possession Underage Consumption and Possession |
Misdemeanor---Loss of drivers license for 1 year AND mandatory minimum $500 fine or 50 hours community service.
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Drinking while Driving
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Misdemeanor---Fine not to exceed $250
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Underage Drinking and Driving Persons under 21 with a BAC of .02 or more; requires no signs of impaired driving.
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Misdemeanor---Fine not to exceed $500 and loss of license for 6 months. Suspension of drivers license for 1 week. Attend VASAP educational program. |
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Drinking and Driving .08 presumes intoxication, but can be convicted on a lower BAC. Also includes specified levels of certain drugs. |
Misdemeanor---Fine not to exceed $2,500 (mandatory minimum of $250) and/or jail for 12 months. Immediate impounding of car and loss of drivers license for 1 year. Ignition interlock system may be required for restricted license.
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Drinking and Driving BAC is .15 - .20 |
Mandatory jail time of 5 days plus above fines and penalties. Ignition interlock system may be required for restricted license.
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Drinking and Driving BAC is over .20 |
Mandatory jail time of 10 days plus above fines and penalties. Ignition interlock system may be required for restricted license.
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Driving on a restricted license with BAC of .02 or more
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Fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or jail time for 12 months, plus three-year license suspension. |
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Drinking and Driving with a Passenger 17 years or younger
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Misdemeanor---Fines of $500-$1,000. Mandatory minimum 5 days in jail, beyond penalties for dui.
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Implied Consent for BAC Test---Unreasonable refusal to take a BAC test |
Loss of drivers license for 12 months
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Use of Fake ID to purchase alcoholic beverages*
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Misdemeanor---Loss of drivers license for 1 year AND $500 mandatory minimum fine or 50 hours community service
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DIP---Drunk in Public |
Misdemeanor---Fine not to exceed $250
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Purchase of alcoholic beverages for intoxicated individuals
Purchasing, giving, providing or assisting in providing alcohol to person under age 21
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Misdemeanor---Fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or jail up to 12 months |
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City of Lexington Noise Ordinance (11pm-7am) If heard from 50 ft of premise If permit expires at 12 am |
1st visit by police---written warning 2nd visit by police---citation & court appearance---Fine + Court costs |
* The Executive Committee has found in previous cases the use of a false ID constitutes a violation of the Honor System.
Washington and Lee Alcohol Policies
(Plain English Version)
3 Strike System for individuals: Enforced by SJC
This is a Strike:
• Conviction of an alcohol or drug related violation of the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Violation of the University residential alcohol/drug policies
• Misconduct that violates University alcohol/drug policies
• Drunkenness, when it results in behavior that endangers self or others
These are the Sanctions:
First Strike:
• Mandatory education and counseling
• Moderate sanctions
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Parents notified
Second Strike:
• Mandatory education and counseling
• Sanction, up to and including suspension for a full semester
• Parents notified
Third Strike:
• Sanction up to and including dismissal
• Mandatory education and counseling for those not dismissed
• Parents notified
3 Strike System for Greek Organizations: Enforced by IFC/Panhel
This is a Strike:
• Coercive drinking related to group activities
• Violations of IFC/Panhel rules for serving alcohol
• Violations of Dry Rush
• Excess damage to house property
• Coordinating or using fraternity/sorority funds to purchase alcohol – includes group funds and/or slush funds
These are the Sanctions:
First Strike:
• Up to $1,000 fine
• Appropriate Community Service
• 2 weeks social probation
• Mandatory alcohol education for the group
• Notification of House Corporation and Parents
Second Strike:
• Up to $2,500 fine
• Appropriate Community Service
• 12 weeks social probation
• Mandatory alcohol education for the group
• Notification of National Fraternity, House Corporation and Parents
Third Strike:
• Up to and including immediate full year suspension
• SAC will determine terms of the suspension
• Mandatory alcohol education for the group
The SJC May suspend or dismiss a student found to have driven a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the city of lexington or rockbridge county.
Click here for the complete text of the University Initiatives on Substance Abuse
If you think you have issues with drinking, a concern about a friend or just want information on alcohol and its consumption, contact any of these campus resources.
Counseling Center 458-8590
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Christy Barongan, Ph.D.
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Kirk Luder, M.D.
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Jennifer Sayre, Ph.D.
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Peer Counselors--- look for their posters around campus with their names and phone numbers
Student Health Center 458-8401
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Jane Horton, M.D.
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David Copeland, M.D.
Office of Health Promotion 458-4501
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Jan Kaufman, M.P.H.
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LIFE Peer Health Educators---educational programming
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism---lots of information plus a special section specifically for college students
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/ Sponsored by NIAAA---info for students/parents on alcohol. Recommendations for policies and changing the culture around drinking norms.
http://www.health.org National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information---posters, pamphlets, info on alcohol and all other drugs
http://www.edc.org/hec/ The Higher Education Center For Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, US Department of Education---Info just for students, lots of LINKS!!!
http://www.factsontap.org/ Facts on Tap---info for adult children of alcoholics, also has pamphlets about drinking at college
http://www.aavirginia-mtview31.org AA meetings in the Lexington area
http://www.abc.state.va.us Virginia ABC website---ABC regulations, VA law and enforcement, and educational initiatives from the state of VA
http://www.madd.org MADD---stats on drunk driving, laws, research and links
http://www.alcoholscreening.org/ Take a test to assess your drinking patterns and receive personalized feedback, lots of Q&A info
http://www.addictionsearch.com/addictionsearch/ Info on addiction, prevention and treatment. Featured topics of interest to college students.
http://www.friendsdrivesober.org/ Info on impaired driving, tips to keep a friend safe and safe party hosting