Alcohol

Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or just alcohol, is a substance that has a depressant effect on the body. It slows down communication between brain cells and communication with the brain and the rest of the body. It is consumed as beer, wine, or hard liquor. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance but 1/3 of the US population and according to the 2023 Maryland Collaborative College Alcohol Survey, 35% of Hopkins undergrads, choose to not drink alcohol regularly or at all.

Blue Jays in the Blue Zone

People choose to drink alcohol for the initial positive effects, or “the buzz.” This is when people feel more social, less anxious, and possibly more energetic. We also call this state of being “The Blue Zone,” which is around the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.055.

Beyond this point is when the positives are reached and the negative effects of alcohol start to show. It’s also called the point of diminishing returns. BACs higher than 0.055 is when issues with balance, speaking, judgement and coordination, blackout, nausea, and vomiting start to occur.

BACTypical Effects
0.00Sober
0.01-0.055 (The Blue Zone)Peak buzz, point of diminishing returns.
0.06Slight impairment of judgement, balance, and coordination.
0.08Legal driving limit for people under 21.
0.10Significant impairment of judgment and coordination. Speech balance and reflexes are impaired.
0.13An overall feeling of unwell.
0.16Nausea.
0.20Needs help walking. Blackout possible.
0.25Unconsciousness.
0.40Possible coma, risk of death.
Image courtesy of Aware Awake Alive

First-year students (and other incoming undergraduates) go more in-depth on this topic during the Blue Jays in the Blue Zone Training during New Student Orientation. The Office of Health Promotion and Well-Being uses a harm reduction approach, where we provide information about alcohol and ways to minimize the risk when using it. Maryland law, federal law, and the university code of conduct prohibit the underage use, possession, or distribution of alcohol by students under 21.

Standard Drink Sizes

The body can process or metabolize about 1 standard drink per hour. A standard drink is a way to measure the same amount of pure ethyl alcohol across a variety of alcoholic drinks, or how strong the drink is. This strength is represented as the proof or as alcohol by volume, which is half of the proof and represented as a percentage. For beers and wines, they are usually represented as ABV and liquor is typically represented as proof. But both might be on the label.

Beer: 12 oz (355 ml) at 5% ABV

Wine: 5 oz (148 ml) at 12% ABV

80 Proof Liquor: 1.5 oz (44 ml) at 40% ABV

100 Proof Liquor: 1 oz (30 ml) at 50% ABV

Note that as the proof or ABV goes up, the fluid oz or milliliters of the type of drink goes down. There are also other types of alcohol that are outside the norms of a standard drink like craft beers that can be 12% ABV or higher and come in 16oz cans, or fortified wines that can be as strong as 20% ABV. If you’re unsure, you can use this site to calculate the true number of standard drinks you’re consuming.

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of principles that aim to reduce the risk that comes with drinking. Some of these risks are blackouts and memory, problems, increased risk of being assaulted and/or committing assault, and damage to the structure and function of the body. There is always a risk that comes with drinking. The only way to avoid the risk is to not drink. If you do choose to drink you can reduce the risk, try incorporating some of these harm reduction techniques.

  • Count your drinks. Keep track of the standard drinks you are consuming. Remember, a standard drink is not what is simply in your cup, bottle, or can. It is measured by an alcohol’s ABV, and the amount in fluid ounces or milliliters.
  • Keep tabs on your BAC with a tracker app. Remember other than weight, sex assigned at birth, and time since your first drink, other things that can affect your BAC are medications, how tired you are, and what you’ve had to eat. Here are some apps we recommend.
  • Space your drinks. The body can process one standard drink an hour and BAC can rise quickly if drinks are taken one after the other. You can help space your drinks by having water or another non-alcoholic beverage in between your drinks, having one standard drink an hour, or filling the time with something else. Avoid trying to match someone drink for drink and drinking games.
  • Don’t just drink. A filling meal before drinking, ideally with healthy fats like salmon, complex carbs like sweet potatoes, and proteins like eggs, chicken, or tofu, can slow down the absorption of alcohol. Eating non-salty snacks while drinking can also help with the absorption of alcohol.
  • Set a limit and stick with it. Drinking affects your judgement, especially at higher levels of BAC. Setting a limit before going out and staying within a limit where your judgement is not as impaired can help to prevent drinking in excess due to affected judgement or any other impairment.
  • Avoid pre-gaming. People may pre-game to save money or get started on the night. But this strategy means that they may miscount their drinks or begin a regular night of drinking with a higher BAC than intended.
  • Avoid using alcohol with other drugs. Whether it is prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs like cannabis, alcohol can interact with most medications and substances. These combinations can increase the effect of alcohol or cause negative and uncomfortable side effects. Some medications that can interact with alcohol are: allergy medications, antibiotics, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, caffeine, cannabis, and some over-the-counter pain killers, especially Tylenol.

Alcohol emergencies

Whether you choose to drink or not, it is important everyone knows the signs of alcohol poisoning so we can keep everyone in our campus community safe. If a person experiences any of these signs:

  • Vomiting, especially with little to no gag reflex/reaction
  • Low body temperature
  • Confusion
  • Pale or bluish skin
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Seizures

They might need medical attention. A person cannot always “sleep it off” as BAC can rise after they’ve fallen asleep or passed out.

In the case of an alcohol emergency, the University’s amnesty policy may apply to those who help another student in an emergency if they follow these three requirements:

  • Call 911 or Campus Safety and Security (410-516-7777).
  • Stay with the person as emergency services arrive.
  • Cooperate and share what you know with the responders so they can help. Their priority is the person’s health and safety.

Please visit the Student Affairs website to read more about the amnesty policy.

Resources

If you would like to learn more about your alcohol use, you can use eCHECKUP TO GO ALCOHOL. This is a free and anonymous online module to receive personalized feedback.

  • Mental Health Services at the Homewood Counseling Center (410-516-8278). Serves all in-person undergraduate and graduate students and trainees from Krieger (excluding AAP students), Whiting, School of Education, and Peabody. Beginning Fall 2023, in-person students at Carey Business School in Baltimore can also access Mental Health Services at the Homewood Counseling Center. 
  • Mental Health Services-East Baltimore (410-955-1892). Serves graduate, medical, and professional students and trainees at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, and the School of Nursing.  
  • Mental Health Services-Washington, DC (443-287-7000). Serves SAIS, Carey DC, AAP, and Engineering for Professionals students.