Alcohol

According to the 2016 Survey on Drug Use and Health, 57.2% of college students have drank in the past 30 days

38% engage in binge drinking

10.5% engage in heavy drinking- 5 or more days of binge drinking each month

Unstructured free time

Availability of alcohol

Stress

Influence of parents or friends

Cultural influences and social norms

So how can you drink safely?

Stanford University Suggests the MAPP Method

and pour your own drinks, keep track of your standard drink sizes

between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

one alcholic drink per hour is recommened

how you will get to and from your destination safely, how much you plan to drink

Give your car keys to somebody you trust before you start drinking. Avoid drinking and driving by downloading ride sharing apps like Lyft and Uber and bring your phone charger with you on nights out.
Make sure you eat and are well hydrated before and during your drinking.
Take vitamins- especially B vitamins and vitamin A, to replace those you lose while drinking.
Go out with people you trust and try to drink in places that are safe and trustworthy.
Bring condoms with you when you drink to reduce the likelihood of having unprotected sex.
Know the symptoms of an alcohol overdose, and how to respond if one occurs.

Resources:

HPAC presentation