Office of Health Education - Alcohol Education

The goal and focus of alcohol education at Miami University is to prepare students to make legal, low risk choices about drinking during college and in the future. Alcohol education can support a student's academic success and contribute to their engagement in campus activities. We use a "harm reduction" approach that helps students assess their risk for developing alcoholism; determine what is "low risk" for them as an individual; and identify ways they can practice their legal, low risk guidelines.

The Office of Health Education's Comprehensive Alcohol Education Program Includes the Following Services and Messages:

AlcoholEdu- an on-line and personalized alcohol educational program that all first year students must complete. AlcoholEdu, used by over 500 institutions around the country, applies science-based research to educate students about alcohol and its effects. First year students will receive information about AlcoholEdu during First Year Orientation and mailings over the summer. Students can access the course on July 24, 2013 and must complete Part 1 of AlcoholEdu by August 19, 2013. To access the course, log into MyMiami and select the "Begin/Resume AlcoholEdu" link in the "Checklist" box to begin AlcoholEdu. You may need to use the Alphabetical Index to find the AlcoholEdu link under "A". For more information on the program please contact alcoholedu@miamioh.edu.

Classes: These sessions provide students with information regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs and the impact of these substances on their lives. The Alternatives Education program is a two-hour risk reduction program. The Chemical Abuse Education Program is a four-hour intervention program including: a self-assessment; phases of alcohol and drug use; issues of illegal drug use; impairment issues; and five steps to risk reduction. Both programs are based on the Prevention Research Institute (PRIme for Life model). Classes can be accessed via TRAIN (Miami University's Training Registration and Information Network) along with complete descriptions and intended audience. Go to www.miami.muohio.edu/train and log on using your unique I.D. and password.
Select:
   •Learning Opportunities
   •Topics
   •Alcohol Education Programs

Protective Factors:
   •Eat before consuming alcohol
   •Set a limit
   •Alternate non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
   •Keep track of how much you drink and understand your personal limit
   •A person of average body size metabolizes 1 standard drink/hour. Excess alcohol stays in the bloodstream until the liver can metabolize it.

Standard Drink Sizes
   •One 12-ounce can or bottle of beer or wine cooler at 4-5% alcohol
   •One 4-ounce glass of wine at 12% alcohol
   •One 1-ounce shot of 100 proof or 50% alcohol distilled spirit.
**One mixed drink, like a mind probe or Long Island ice tea, often has +6 standard drinks.

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) is the ratio of alcohol to blood in your body. A BAC of .08 means one part of alcohol for every thousand parts blood. BAC varies by gender, weight, number and type of drinks, and time range of consumption.
**One standard drink raises BAC by .02 for a person weighing 140-180 lbs.**
.02 -.04 Lightheaded-Mellow feeling, sensation of warmth, less inhibited.
.05-.07 Buzzed- Minor reasoning, focusing and memory impairments. Relaxed and tendency to exaggerate emotions.
.08 Legal Driving Limit- BUT alcohol affects driving skills before .08.
.08-.10 Legally Impaired-Significant balance, speech, vision, reaction time, perception, and judgment impairments.
.11-.15 Very Drunk- More pronounced motor, vision, reasoning and depressive effects (anxiety or unease).
.16-.24 Dazed- Strong depressive state, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, dizzy, blurred vision. Blackout likely.
.25-.3 Stupor- Severely impaired mental, physical and sensory functions. Accidents and passing out very likely.
.3 and up Coma- Loss of consciousness, onset of coma, alcohol poisoning and death.

Alcohol Poisoning:
Signs of alcohol poisoning include: pale skin, eyes rolling, does not respond or wake up from loud noises or being shaken, going in and out of consciousness. If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning:
   •CALL 911 for medical help!
   •Turn the person on their side to avoid choking on vomit
   •STAY WITH THEM NO MATTER WHAT! Never leave someone to "sleep it off" as this may lead to death.

Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that includes four symptoms:
1. Craving- a strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
2. Loss of control- the inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.
3. Physical dependence- withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety that occur after alcohol use has stopped or after a period of heavy drinking.
4. Tolerance- the need to drink more alcohol in order to reach the "buzz."

Get help
Treatment or support can help a person quit drinking and rebuild their life. Identifying and accepting a drinking problem could be one of the greatest barriers to getting help. For more information or to get help visit:
Student Counseling Services