Raising awareness on

Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol misuse describes alcohol consumption that puts individuals at an increased risk for adverse health and social consequences according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

RESOURCES

SHORT AND LONG TERM

Effects of Alcohol Misuse

Alcohol is a psychotropic depressant of the central nervous system (CNS), which promotes changes in neuronal pathways leading to various behavioral and biological alterations. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver with the use of enzymes which have the ability to reduce blood alcohol content (BAC) by an average of .015 per hour. It is to be acknowledged that there are additional factors which can effect the metabolism of alcohol including gender, some medications, and illness.

RESOURCES

SHORT TERM
  • Injuries such as falls, motor-vehicle accidents, drownings, and burns
  • Violence 
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Risky Sexual Behaviors

RESOURCE

LONG TERM
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Liver disease
  • Digestive problems
  • Cancer
  • Weakening of the immune system
  • Learning and memory problems
  • Mental health problems
  • Social problems
  • Alcohol use disorders or alcohol dependency

RESOURCE

College students have an increased risk for an alcohol use disorder as they near the legal drinking age. While 104,000 of 18-year-old college students met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder in 2019, that number more than doubled to 231,000 by age 21.

Early Detection

Signs Of Alcohol Misuse For College Students

N

attendance

A student misses any scheduled event because of the effects of alcohol consumption

N

Inappropriate Behavior

A student engages in inappropriate behavior toward other individuals that is the result of alcohol consumption
N

Decreased Performance

A students grades begin to drop as a result of not turning in assignment due to alcohol consumption

N

Illness

A student becomes ill due to the effects of alcohol consumption
N

Destructive Behavior

A student engages in destructive behavior toward property that is the result of alcohol consumption
N

Inability To Walk

A student becomes so intoxicated that he/she cannot walk unassisted
N

Breaking Laws

A student does not abide by the laws of the state, including driving intoxicated
N

Causing Concern

A student engages in behavior that causes his/her companions concern for the safety of the individual or the group

What is alcohol misuse?

Alcohol misuse for women

More Than One Drink A Day On Average

Alcohol misuse for men
More Than Two Drinks A Day On Average

What is binge drinking?

Binge Drinking for women

More than 4 drinks in a two hour time frame

Binge Drinking for men

More than 5 drinks in a two hour time frame

ACCESSIBLITY

Defining Common Alcohol Misuse Terms

Alcohol misuse

A pattern of alcohol consumption that puts individuals at increased risk for adverse health and social consequences.

Underage Drinking

Any individual who consumes alcohol and is under the legal age (21 years of age).

High Intensity Drinking
  • 8 or more drinks per week for a woman
  • 10 or more drinks per week for a man
Alcohol dependence

Also known as alcoholism, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, or alcohol tolerance.

Binge drinking
  • 4 or more drinks in a two hour timeframe for a woman
  • 5 or more drinks in a two hour timeframe for a man
Excessive Drinking
  • binge drinking
  • high-intensity drinking
  • any alcohol use by a pregnant woman or anyone under the age of 21

Arizona

State Statutes For Alcohol Consumption

Join our mission of proactively supporting college student emotional wellbeing, in an effort to prevent violence and substance misuse.