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.
Administrative Policy Overview
- "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)
General Information
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.
On-line
Assessment
- Click on alcohol screenings here
to take a confidential, on-line screening for the following concerns (password=leopard):
alcohol
Local Resources (24 hour hotlines
& information for local groups)
- Alcoholics Anonymous -- 610-882-0558
- Al-Anon -- 610-778-2066
- Cocaine Anonymous - 800-482-0983
- Narcotics Anonymous - 610-439-1998
Alcohol
Industry and Advertising
What
Parents Should Know
Alcohol Programs Available
at Lafayette College (please call 5005 to schedule a program for your organization,
residence hall, or athletic team)
"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 1/4 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.
Other Links
|
