1National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (August 2018). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from URL
2EVERFI 2020 AlcoholEdu Report
3National College Health Assessment – Clemson University 2020
Clemson University is committed to maintaining an environment that is healthy, safe and attractive for all members of the community. Students who choose to use alcohol and other drugs assume a responsibility to comply with South Carolina laws and University policies, to make decisions that reduce their personal risks, and to consider the health and safety risks posed to others. The University provides education, programs, and policies to empower students to make responsible decisions relating to alcohol and other drug consumption. Students who choose to violate University policy related to alcohol and other drug use are subject to discipline as outlined in the student code of conduct. Where those actions also violate state and/or federal law, students are subject to legal consequences as well.
In the spring 2014, Clemson University and community stakeholders developed the Alcohol and Other Drug Strategic Plan. Clemson University’s Alcohol and Other Drug Strategic Plan includes targets set for 10% improvement by 2020 as compared to 2010 national baseline, established as a composite of CORE data from 2009-2011, in the following measures:
High-risk drinking and illegal drug use
Consequences of alcohol and drug use
Protective behaviors
Strategic focus areas include:
Prevention
Intervention and treatment
Environmental management
Protective measures
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the percent of alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) in a person's bloodstream. There are many factors that contribute to your BAC, and your body will have varied responses as your BAC increases.
Try this BAC calculator to understanding of how different factors affect your BAC: Responsibility.org BAC Calculator
When you pass a 0.06 BAC level, negative effects begin. These symptoms include fatigue, impaired sexual performance, inappropriate social behavior and over-expressed emotions (Adapted from the University of Rochester). As your BAC continues to rise to 0.08, you will experience cognitive judgement impairment, nausea and impaired motor coordination. Although in South Carolina a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered unlawful to drive, BAC should not be the only factor used to determine if you are capable of driving safely. Always consider how your body reacts to alcohol use and side effects that would impair your ability to drive.
It is important to note that the physiological differences between men and women affect the way alcohol is processed through the body. Even if a man and a woman are the same size and drink the same number and type of drinks, the woman’s BAC level will be higher due to the body’s ability to dilute alcohol and metabolize alcohol differently as well as hormonal factors.
.08 BAC Legal Limit. (n.d.). Retrieved from URL
The amount of liquid in your glass, can or bottle does not necessarily match up to how much alcohol is actually in your drink. Different types of beer, wine or malt liquor can have very different amounts of alcohol content. In the United States, one "standard" drink contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in
12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol;
5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol;
1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol.
What Is A Standard Drink? (n.d.). Retrieved from URL
Click here for more strategies on how to plan ahead, step up and return home safely.
Drinks slowly (no gulping/chugging)
Knows when to stop drinking (does not drink to get drunk)
Eats before or while drinking
Never drives after drinking
Respects non-drinkers
Knows and obeys laws related to drinking
Drinks to get drunk
Tries to solve problems while drinking
Experiences personality changes — may become loud, angry or violent, or silent, remote or reclusive
Drinks when he or she should not — before driving, going to class or work
Causes other problems — harms himself or herself, family, friends or strangers
Spends a lot of time thinking about drinking and planning where and when to get the next drink
Keeps bottles hidden for quick pick-me-ups
Starts drinking without consciously planning and loses awareness of the amount consumed
Denies drinking
Drinks alone
Needs to drink before a stressful situation
May have “blackouts” — cannot remember what he or she did while drinking although he or she may have appeared “normal” to people at the time
Goes from having hangovers to more dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (“DTs”), which can be fatal
Has or causes major problems — with the police, an employer, family or friends