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7 Things About Alcohol That Many Students And Their Parents Don’t Know
As students return to campus for another year of higher education, it’s crucial to address a pressing concern: alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, many students and parents are unaware of the facts surrounding this issue. In this article, we’ll explore seven critical things that may not be widely known about alcohol.
Firstly, Red Solo Cups Have Measurements
It has come to light that many red solo cups have measurements to help individuals monitor their drinking. The bottom of the cup represents the approximate standard size of a shot, while the second indention represents the approximate standard size of a glass of wine, and the third indention represents the approximate standard size of a can of beer. This is significant because if students pour hard liquor into half of the cup, they might mistakenly believe that they’re consuming just a half a standard drink; however, in reality, they could be consuming four to five shots.
Secondly, What Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Really Is
A recent report by Stanford described blood alcohol concentration as the percentage of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream that can be measured within 30-70 minutes after drinking. A BAC of .10% means that there is one percent of alcohol per 1000 units of blood. This may not seem significant to many students and parents, but it’s essential to understand. For instance, a 200-pound male would reach this percentage (exceeding the legal limit) within 30 minutes of consuming four beers.
Thirdly, How Much Other Students Actually Drink
A study published in the journal of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that an astonishing 84.8% of freshmen overestimated the frequency of heavy drinking among students of the same gender. When asked about specific peers, a staggering 36.9% of students still overestimated the frequency of heavy drinking among their close friends. The tendency to overestimate how much others drink can lead to students themselves drinking more. Conversely, knowing that many students don’t drink as much as previously thought might motivate some students to reduce their consumption.
Fourthly, How Many Calories Are In Alcoholic Drinks
Research suggests that four beers can have up to 1,400 calories, while four vodka and tonic drinks can have up to 756 calories. However, these numbers are based on standard size drinks and many students often consume larger amounts. It’s essential for students to calculate how many hours of the week they spend preparing for or recovering from alcohol consumption.
Fifthly, How Much Time is Spent With Alcohol
It’s crucial for students to calculate how much time they spend preparing to obtain alcohol, in the presence of alcohol, using alcohol, or recovering from the effects of alcohol. Some students have reported spending over 40 hours a week on these activities. It’s not uncommon for students to be shocked by this insight, especially if/when they report struggles with time management.
Sixthly, How Much Money Is Spent On Alcohol
It’s also vital for students to calculate how much money they spend on alcohol-related activities. This includes fees to organizations that provide alcohol and the money spent buying drinks for others. It’s not uncommon for students to feel surprised by the amount of money tied to their drinking habits, which could motivate them to make changes.
Lastly, What Alcohol-Induced Blackouts Really Are
A report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism described alcohol-induced blackouts as occurring when alcohol blocks the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage in the brain’s hippocampus. This can result in spotty or complete amnesia that might span hours, potentially causing students to interact with their environment without anything being crystallized into a memory. Even if these students experienced a traumatic event or caused one to occur, they wouldn’t remember.
In conclusion, it is essential for both students and parents to be informed about the facts surrounding alcohol consumption. Knowing these truths can help individuals make more informed choices and provide support for their loved ones.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericwood/2025/03/24/7-things-about-alcohol-that-many-students-and-their-parents-dont-know/
