Signs of abuse
    -Inability to control drinking
    -Change in personality
    -High tolerance level
    -Blackouts
    -Problems with work, school, family, and/or friends
    -Denial of problem

Safe Drinking Tips
1. Decide what you want from your drinking
2. Count your drinks, space them out to about 1 per hour
3. Alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks such as water or juice
4. Eat before and while you drink
5. Set a drinking limit - know how much you are going to have before you start
6. Never leave your drink unattended
7. Don't play drinking games

Blood Alcohol Content (information and table)

Blood Alcohol Content and Effects
¢ at .02 B.A.C - light and moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects. Approximate B.A.C after 1 drink
¢ at .04 B.A.C - people begin to feel relaxed and elated
¢ at .06 B.A.C - judgment is somewhat impaired; people are less able to make rational decisions
¢ at .08 B.A.C - there is a clear deterioration of muscle coordination and driving skills
¢ at .10 B.A.C - there is a clear deterioration of control and reaction time; legally drunk in most states
¢ at .15 B.A.C - balance and movement are impaired; slightly slurred speech
¢ at .20 B.A.C - there is confusion, staggering, and slurred speech
¢ at .30 B.A.C - many people are semi-stuperous and barely conscious
¢ at .40 B.A.C - most people lose consciousness; some die
¢ at .45 B.A.C to .50 B.A.C - breathing stops, death likely

Factors that Influence the Impact of Alcohol
The same amount of alcohol truly does affect people in different ways. Here are some of the factors that affect how alcohol impacts you:
" How fast you drink.
" What type of beverage you drink.
" Your weight and percentage of body fat.
" Whether or not you have eaten.
" Your mood and attitude.
" Your level of experience.
" Your gender.
" Presence of other drugs.

Effects of Drinking
Short term effects: Distorted vision, hearing, and coordination, impaired judgment, altered perceptions and emotions, slowed reactions, hangovers

Long term effects: Can lead to alcoholism, damage to parts of the brain, damage to liver and other organs, intensification of mental health problems including depression

How to Help a Drunk Person
The Do's and Don'ts to helping an intoxicated person:

Do
Stay calm. Don't let your anxiety transfer to the individual in trouble
Keep your distance. Explain what you intend to do before approaching or touching. Remember that a drunk person can't be reasoned with in the same manner as a sober person.
Stay with the drunk person. When laying them down, turn head to side to keep it from falling back and also keeps them from swallowing vomit.
Get help immediately if:
" Person has difficulty breathing
" Person is extremely listless or sleepy
" Person is unconscious (a person is unconscious if they do not wake up after you shout and give an ordinarily painful stimulus, for example a pinch)
" You are in any doubt at all

Don't
Don't try to walk, run, or exercise the drunk person.
Don't try to keep the person awake.
Don't LET THE PERSON DRIVE under any circumstance!
Don't administer food, drink (including coffee) or medication to sober the person up. (The only thing that can sober a drunk person up is TIME).
Don't give the person a cold shower - the shock may cause them to pass out, resulting in injury
Don't attempt to restrain the person without sober assistance.
Don't provoke, argue, or threaten.

Are you a Problem Drinker? The Self-Assessment Test
Do you, or do you not, have a problem with alcohol? Find out for sure by responding "yes" or "no" to each of the following 30 statements.

1. Your personality is altered when you consume alcohol.
2. When you're in a social situation and no alcohol is provided, you fell uncomfortable.
3. Drinking has caused you to be late for class or work.
4. You sometimes have a drink to help you fall asleep.
5. When you drink, you always wind up drunk.
6. You use alcohol as an escape when you're angry, disappointed, or otherwise upset.
7. Certain friends or places encourage you to drink.
8. You crave a drink at a specific time every day, like after class or after work.
9. When you're out with friends, you sneak a few drinks without their knowledge.
10. You've promised yourself to slow down or stop drinking, but you can only keep the promise for a few days or weeks at a time.
11. Your family or friends have expressed concern about your drinking.
12. It is difficult for you to stop drinking after you've had one or two drinks.
13. You eat very little or irregularly when you are drinking.
14. The day after drinking, you have trouble remembering what you did while you were under the influence.
15. You sometimes feel guilty about your drinking.
16. Even after your friends say they've had enough alcohol, you want to continue drinking.
17. You get irritated when your family or friends want to discuss your drinking.
18. Your performance at school or work has suffered because of your drinking.
19. You've done something sexual that you later regretted while you were under the influence of alcohol.
20. A significant part of your day is spent obtaining, consuming, or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
21. You have been arrested for intoxicated behavior or driving under the influence of alcohol.
22. You always have a hangover or headache after you've been drinking.
23. After drinking, you have experienced severe anxiety, shaking, or visual or auditory hallucinations.
24. You have gotten into an argument or a fistfight while you were drinking.
25. You have lost a friend or created a rift with a family member based on their feelings about your drinking.
26. When you're sober, you regret things you said or did while you were drinking.
27. You have tried switching from one kind of alcohol to another in an effort to cut down on or remain in control of your drinking, or to try to avoid getting drunk.
28. Your drinking has led to financial difficulty.
29. You sometimes stay drunk for several days at a time.
30. You have neglected your classes, job, family, or other obligations for two or more days in a row because you were drinking.

If you answered yes to three or more of the above, examine your habits honestly. Patterns of heavy drinking behavior in college could lead to a more serious problem down the road.

If you answered yes to a significant number of statements, there is a good chance you have an alcohol problem. It's in your best interest to seek help form a counselor or support group. See the Resources page to find help.

Cab Card - Think Responsibly

The following list is of Cab companies to call if you are intoxicated and unable to drive. NEVER drive or allow a friend to drive when they are intoxicated.

Boston Cab - 617.262.2227
Town Taxi - 617.536.5000
Metro Cab - 617.782.5500
Top Cab - 617.266.4800
All Are Taxi - 617.536.2000