University Counseling Center (UCC)
Drinking in College
When talking to your son or daughter about their choices with regard to alcohol, you may want to discuss the differences between low-risk and high-risk drinking and abstaining.
Low risk drinking is:
- Thinking about whether you will drink, what you will drink before the party
- Being 21 or older
- Eating a meal before drinking
- Abstaining is the safest choice
- Drinking no more that one drink per hour; maximum 1 for women, 2 for men
- Always knowing what you are drinking
- Alternating alcohol-free drinks throughout the evening
- Knowing how you will get home safely before you go out
High risk drinking is:
- Chugging, drinking games, shots (drinking anything out of a punch bowl, trough, hose, or funnel)
- Drinking to get drunk (intoxicated)
- Driving after drinking or riding with someone under the influence
- Drinking too much too fast
- Going to parties where people drink too much
- Not knowing what is in your glass or leaving it unattended
- Alternating alcohol-free drinks throughout the evening
- Mixing alcohol with medications or illegal drugs
From The Century Council: Education Programs, including Council on Campus