Alcohol Resources: The Blood Alcohol Content Estimator - Alcohol's Effects on the Body (PDF) - Alcohol First Aid (PDF)
The Laws
The laws relating to alcohol in the State of Maryland are clear:
Obtaining liquor for persons under 21, furnishing liquor to underage persons, and misrepresentation of age to induce the sale of liquor, beer, wine or light wines are civil offenses in Maryland. A first offense will cost you $500, and a second offense will cost you $1000. Remember that driving under the influence of alcohol is also a serious crime and can result in fines, imprisonment and license suspension or revocation.
The Choices
But whatever the laws (and the consequences for violating them) may be, decisions regarding alcohol are very personal. Each person must decide for themselves whether or not to drink.
Someone who chooses to drink must also understand the effects of alcohol on the body. Since alcohol affects each of us differently based our weight and other factors, someone who drinks needs to be aware of their personal limits-- and then stick to them.
The Basics
Alcohol is a drug-- a depressant. Although small amounts of it can produce a feeling of stimulation and well-being, larger amounts have the opposite effect. Too much alcohol will shut down the brain and nervous system causing breathing to stop, a condition known as alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is always fatal unless medical help is called quickly.
Don't be fooled by the words "light beer" or "hard liquor"-- most drinks have about the same amount of alcohol. Twelve ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.25 ounces of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.
At right in Adobe PDF format is a system-by-system look at what alcohol does to the body. Just below that is more detailed information on alcohol first aid and alcohol poisoning. Have a look.
What is Drunk?
The word "drunk" is a social term, not a legal one. Legally, a person's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), the percentage of alcohol in the blood, is used to determine when they are too impaired by alcohol to drive. In some states, legal impairment is defined as a BAC of 0.08%, while in others, legal impairment happens at a BAC of 0.10%.
Go to the BAC Estimator Chart
The Other Problem with Being Drunk
A person who is drunk is more likely to do things that they wouldn't think of doing while sober. In a recent study of JHU students, 36.3% of students who drank reported doing something they later regretted.
Being drunk opens the door to being taken advantage of socially, physically or even sexually. It facilitates acts of violence and property destruction.
Drinking is especially dangerous when done in addition to other drugs. Sometimes this drug use may be intentional, but lately, a group of "date rape" drugs has come to the attention of authorities. The most publicized "date rape" drug is the sedative Rohypnol, which is used widely for medical purposes in other parts of the world, but which is not approved for use in the US. Rohypnol, a chemical cousin of the popular sedative Valium, is ten times stronger than Valium. Called "roofies" on the street, the drug is tasteless and odorless and can be mixed with a drink without being detected. Once taken, it can produce deep intoxication and amnesia for up to eight hours. To make it easier to detect in a drink, the manufacturer has added a blue dye to the pill.
Hint: If you do choose to drink, mix your own drink and keep your drink with you. This helps you to know exactly how much alcohol you've had and prevents anyone else from adding something that you don't want.
It's Not Just A "One Shot" Deal
Ever had a hangover? Remember that feeling? It probably felt like your head was going to explode. That hangover is your body's way of reminding you that the effects of alcohol don't end when you take your last drink of the night.
Your liver is the organ responsible for getting rid of most poisons, so it's responsible for getting rid of (metabolizing) any alcohol in your system. The body's ability to metabolize alcohol varies greatly from person to person, but in general, the liver can only metabolize about 1 ounce of alcohol per hour. That's approximately the amount of alcohol in one drink.
Metabolizing alcohol requires huge amounts of water, which dehydrates the body and is the main source of the pounding-headache hangover. Hangover remedies are discussed in "Alcohol First Aid" at your right. The bottom line, however, is that only time "cures" a hangover.
Alcohol Abuse or Dependence?
Abuse
The use of alcohol can cause seemingly minor problems. Missed classes, lower test scores, hangovers, and arguments with friends can be "no big deal." However, being on Ac Pro, not getting accepted into the grad school of your choice, falling down stairs, being arrested, having sex with someone you wouldn't share your toothbrush with, or getting AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases DO appear to be a "big deal". The line between the "not big" and the "big" deal problems is a fine one...and all can result from the use of alcohol. When drinking causes problems in a person's life, it's considered alcohol abuse.
Dependence
People can become psychologically dependent (without being physically dependent) if they regularly use alcohol in relation to specific events or circumstances. Students who drink before a social event in order to feel more comfortable about meeting other s, those who cope with stress by drinking, or those who always drink to "have a good time" can be psychologically dependent. The amount of alcohol consumed does not necessarily produce intoxication. Rather, this type of dependence is a desire for the ph ysical effects of drinking (feeling relaxed, more confident, etc...). For psychologically dependent drinkers, the lack of alcohol may make them anxious, uncomfortable, insecure or even panicky.
What to Do
Learning to manage stress, becoming appropriately assertive and communicating more effectively are a few of the skills that can help individuals overcome their abuse or reliance on alcohol. Talking to a professional counselor may also help students assess those issues which may be contributing to their alcohol abuse.
Alcoholism or Physical Dependence
Physical dependence occurs in consistently heavy drinkers. People who drink on a regular basis become tolerant to many of the unpleasant effects of alcohol, and therefore can drink more before suffering these effects. Even with increased consumption, many don't appear drunk. Because they are able to perform their academic or other work assignments and socialize reasonably well, their condition may go unrecognized until a serious consequence occurs. When students require treatment for an alcohol- relate d injury or illness, experience frequent conflicts with friends, stop going to classes completely, drink secretively or alone, or use alcohol to relieve stress or sleeplessness, the student may be physically dependent on alcohol.