Substance Use Information

Tips and information on college student alcohol consumption

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration. This is the percent of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. For example, a BAC of .10% means that someone’s individual blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1,000 parts blood.

Factors that influence BAC

• Amount of alcohol consumed
• Rate of drink consumption
• Weight and body mass
• Enzymes that metabolize alcohol in the stomach
• Amount of food in the stomach

The Bi-Phasic Response

Alcohol produces two different effects based on dose. 

BAC of .055% or less: people tend to feel a "buzz", euphoria, and stimulant effects.

BAC above a .055%: the depressant effects of alcohol kick in—which may result in slurred speech, impairment, loss of memory, sickness, etc.

The Point of Diminishing Returns (BAC of .055) is the point at which drinking more will NOT make you feel better. It will only make you more impaired.

BORG is an acronym for “blackout rage gallon.” BORGs, which have been trending on TikTok, are made in a plastic gallon jug by combining water, alcohol, and flavoring—often including electrolytes and sometimes caffeine.

Alcohol Amount

BORG recipes featured on TikTok often contain a fifth of alcohol, which is the equivalent of approximately 17 standard 1.5-ounce shots of hard liquor.

Diluting a BORG with water and adding electrolytes will NOT prevent the toxic effects of consuming this much alcohol.

Alcohol and Caffeine

Mixing alcohol with caffeine or energy drinks is dangerous, as drinkers may feel more awake and alert and consume more alcohol, which can lead to dangerous levels of impairment and possible alcohol poisoning. Additionally, caffeine may mask the typical signs of intoxication, making it harder to know when you’ve had too much to drink.

BORG Tips

If you are going to make a BORG, please consider the following strategies.

1. Limit the amount of alcohol you pour into your BORG.
2. Measure the number of 1.5-ounce standard drinks (40% ABV, 80 proof liquor) you are adding.
3. Consume at a slower pace and extend drinking over a longer period of time.
4. Avoid mixing alcohol with caffeine or energy drinks.
5. Make your own drink, but use a smaller container.
6. Never leave your BORG unattended. Keep the cap on and avoid sharing with others.
7. Look out for others. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning.
8. Don’t add any alcohol.

Whether you think you know all the facts on cannabis, or have a lot to learn, you can ALWAYS educate yourself more.

Side Effects

• Abbreviated sleep cycle
• Fatigue
• Increased anxiety (particularly social anxiety)
• Panic attacks
• Depression episodes
• Suicidal thoughts
• Psychotic episodes
• Lack of focus
• Low motivation
• Reduced attention
• Impaired problem solving
• Slowed motor coordination

Potency

• Today’s cannabis has about five times more THC than a decade ago.
• High-potency THC (greater than 10% THC) can cause more acute reactions to the drug and faster addiction.
• Some cannabis products have as much as 90% THC.

Addiction Risk

Research shows that it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. 

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is addictive. Research shows that:

 

• 1-in-6 people who start using the drug before the age of 18 can become addicted.
• 1-in-10 adults who use the drug can become addicted.

Over the past few decades, the amount of THC in marijuana has steadily climbed; today's marijuana has three times the concentration of THC compared to 25 years ago. The higher the THC amount, the stronger the effects on the brain—likely contributing to increased rates of marijuana-related emergency room visits. While there is no research yet on how higher potency affects the long-term risks of marijuana use, more THC is likely to lead to higher rates of dependency and addiction.

—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Learn more about marijuana use from SAMHSA.Learn more about marijuana use from NIH.

Effects on Memory and Learning

Regular cannabis use can negatively affect the part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Cannabis can reduce one’s ability to concentrate and pay attention. Studies show marijuana users are more likely to skip class, and frequent users are likelier to have lower GPAs than students who do not use it.

Effects on Driving Ability

Marijuana may impair judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Studies have found a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability. Multiple studies have found that the risk of being involved in a car crash significantly increases after cannabis use, and in some cases, the risk doubled or more than doubled.

Effects on Mental Health

Daily cannabis use is correlated with an increased incidence of developing serious mental illness. Cannabis use is correlated with an increased occurrence of social anxiety disorder. In higher doses (especially with edibles), some users experience paranoia, acute psychotic episodes, and panic attacks.