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UNotes

Alcohol Awareness

October 21, 2021
Submitted By: Healthy Hawks

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If you are 21 or older and chose to drink alcohol, drinking in moderation may be a good strategy to try out.

Q: What is drinking in moderation?

A: A strategy to address alcohol consumption.  Drinking in moderation is a harm reduction strategy that focuses on the drinker reducing the amount of alcohol consumed.* Goals are set for daily intake and often include smart phone apps.   *If diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, abstinence only plan should be used.

Q: How can I ‘drink in moderation?’

A: From the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) there are some useful tips:

  • Eat food or nibble while you drink.
  • Sip your drinks.
  • Don’t try to “keep up” with the drinking of others.
  • Have no more than one standard alcoholic drink per hour.
  • Be careful with punch or drinks in unusual size containers. They’re not standard drinks so it’s hard to pace them.
  • If taking any medications, be sure to follow directions about drinking with them.
  • Keep in mind that a standard drink of beer, glass of dinner wine, or shot of spirits have the same amount of alcohol. A standard drink is:  A 12-ounce bottle or can of regular beer. A 5-ounce glass of wine. A one and 1/2 ounce shot of 80 proof spirits.

Remember that most college students drink in moderation. And a large minority don’t drink at all.**

Q: Are there smart phone apps out there that can help me?

A: There are a variety of smart phone apps designed to help you with your goals:

•Drink control-drink tracker:  https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id456207840?mt=8 (free and has premium option)

•Drink coach: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drinkcoach/id849022698 (free)

•Saying When : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/saying-when-how-to-quit-drinking-or-cut-down/id881678936 (free)

•Drinkers Helper: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drinkers-helper/id1412412188 (free and premium)

 

Q: I don’t know when to stop drinking. What can I do?

A: Set a goal. If you usually drink too much, have a goal for the number of drinks you are limiting yourself to. Over time you should try to decrease this number.

Don’t ever be afraid to say no when you’ve had enough.

 

Need help?

CAPS: 860.768.4482 (Services are confidential)

UHart Health Services: 860.768.6601 

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Drugabuse.gov | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

**https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/most-college-students-drink-in-moderation-many-abstain/

Healthy Hawks- Alcohol Awareness