College students say drinking responsibly takes LessThanUThink
Most alcohol prevention programs are on four-year campuses, though community colleges enroll more students than any other sector of higher education.
Recognizing this gap, the County of Orange Health Care Agency, Alcohol & Drug Education & Prevention Team began a collaboration with the Capstone Agency at The University of Alabama to implement the LessThanUThink campaign to promote responsible decision-making around alcohol consumption. Following two successful implementations at Santiago Canyon and Santa Ana community colleges, LTUT will be implemented at Orange Coast College.
College can be an exciting and thrilling experience, but it is up to students to avoid engaging in risky behavior that could impact their experience negatively. With that in mind, here are some safety tips that will help you prepare for #Time4School:
Tips for celebrating safely:
- Down the hatch… and forgotten. Avoid shots and drinking games where it’s easy to lose count.
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Watch your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) - A general rule: 1 In + 1 Hour = 1 Out. Your liver needs about an hour to process one standard drink.
- Time is the only way to lower BAC, so ignore the myths. (Sorry, coffee folks.)
- BAC tracking apps are available
- “I was fine one minute…then it just hit me.” BAC continues to rise as the alcohol from your drinks is absorbed into your bloodstream.
- Sip, don’t gulp: They say slow and steady wins the race, but let’s remember that drinking should never be a race to begin with. By sipping, rather than gulping, you can help control your BAC.
- Alternate water between alcoholic drinks
- Control your cup. Pour your own drink — know what’s in it.
It takes LessThanUThink to have fun without overdoing it!
LessThanUThink is a student-generated, anti-binge drinking campaign funded by The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. This blog was provided by the LessThanUThink Orange County, California, team.