Alcohol Resources
Here are some helpful pieces of information about alcohol and drinking. Adding such information to your existing knowledge of alcohol may lead to greater success in achieving your academic, athletic, and social goals. Take advantage of the many interactive web sites included.
- Green Zone
- Overview of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
- Determining your BAC: What matters most?
- Weight, Gender, & BAC
- Alcohol & Performance
- Tolerance to the Effects of Alcohol
- Helping a Friend in Need (Blood Alcohol Poisoning)
- Perception is not Reality: Why we may misperceive alcohol use at Lafayette
- Ways to Stay in your Green Zone®
- Administrative Policy Overview
- General Information
- Helping a Friend with a Drinking Problem
- On-line Assessments
- Local Resources
- Alcohol Industry and Advertising
- What Parents Should Know
- Alcohol Programs Available at Lafayette College
- Lafayette Statistics
- Other Links
- “Lafayette College's position on the use of alcohol is not one of prohibition, but one of education and accountability. We observe the law. Our primary appeal to students who choose to drink is that they will make legal, conscious, and low-risk choices that do not diminish the success or well-being of themselves or others.”
- Lafayette College Student Handbook (see pages 14-19 for alcohol information)
- http://myStudentBody.com (Lafayette password is PARDS) An engaging and interactive health education web site that deals with the most relevant health issues facing college students today.
- How does alcohol work?
- Interactive demonstration of alcohol’s influence on the body
- Facts on tap: For a helpful overview of alcohol related facts
- Frequently asked questions by college students: “GoAskAlice”
- Gordie Foundation
Helping a Friend with a Drinking
Problem
Some important things to consider before speaking with your friend:
People pass through identifiable stages when making changes (Prochaska, 2000)
- STAGE 1: A person may be thinking about changing at some later date in the future, but not presently. Example: "I know I drink a lot now, but I plan on stopping when I graduate."
- STAGE 2: A person begins to consider making changes somewhere in the immediate future. Example: "I need to start cutting back on my drinking. I've gotten into too many fights with my friends while drunk."
- STAGE 3: A person begins to actively attempt changes now. Example: "I'm going to stay in my Green Zone because I can't keep acting like I do when I drink."
- STAGE 4: A person is actively and successfully applying the changes throughout his or her life and doing so consistently from month to month.
Taking Action:
- Be honest, explain how alcohol may be negatively impacting your relationship with that person.
- Point out specific behaviors. It is harder to argue against specific behaviors you've seen as opposed to your opinion.
- Give a list of things they might try. This is frequently received better than giving only one option.
- It is important to remember that change is part of a process. Try to help your friend identify reasons why doing something different (e.g., drinking in the Green Zone) might produce better outcomes. Avoid giving advice. People typically respond better when they have several options and can choose one on their own.
- For example, "You are a good friend, but lately you've been starting fights when you're drunk. I'm not telling you what to do, but we're here to help. You might also consider going to Counseling Center for help."
- Schedule a consultation at the Counseling Center if you would like more direct feedback on how to help your friend.
- Click on alcohol screenings here to take a confidential, on-line screening for the following concerns (password=leopard): alcohol
- Alcoholics Anonymous -- 610-882-0558
- Al-Anon -- 610-778-2066
- Cocaine Anonymous – 800-482-0983
- Narcotics Anonymous – 610-439-1998
What
Parents Should Know
“Reach Your Peak” by Tim Silvestri, Ph.D. (Counseling Center)
Lafayette Statistics (2003 survey of a representative sample of Lafayette students; n-542).
- Parents educating their children about alcohol. Children, Alcohol and Parenting
- NIAAA’s comprehensive site to help parents understand this issues involved with alcohol as well as how to intervene with your child. College Drinking Prevention
“Reach Your Peak” by Tim Silvestri, Ph.D. (Counseling Center)
This program was created to help students maximize the likelihood of achieving their goals. When asked, most students say that they learned how to drink through trial and error. Students, however, frequently report that they were unaware of the ways that they can maximize their performance by making even small changes to their drinking habits. This program may help you “reach your peak.”
Previous students have stated the following about the program:| “Great mix of facts and humor. Very enjoyable
presentation.” “Very impressed…Everyone should be required to go.” “Good presentation. Relates well to college students.” “I think all sports teams should see this presentation.” |
Lafayette Statistics (2003 survey of a representative sample of Lafayette students; n-542).
- 90% of Lafayette College students reported doing at least one of the following when they drink:
- Determine in advance not to exceed a set number of drinks
- Eat before or while drinking
- Alternate non-alcoholic with alcoholic beverages
- Use their personalized Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) cards
- Take their gender & weight into account when drinking
- 2/3 of students consume only ¼ of the total alcohol consumed by Lafayette students.
- 1 our of every 4 Lafayette students will not consume alcohol during their first year on campus.
- 53% of Lafayette students drink alcohol an average of once per week or less.
- 12% of Lafayette students don’t drink at all.
- 80% have never driven with a BAC over the legal limit.
- 83% of Lafayette students do not want drugs at parties.
- 98% felt that drinking was okay, but as long as it didn’t interfere with academics.
