Introduction to the Zone

Welcome to your Beer Free Zone! The Zone gives you a ton of ideas and
information on how to be safe while drinking, how to have fun without drinking,
and how to handle peer pressure to drink. The Zone is also a myth buster! It will
tell you the truth about drinking, its effects and its sometimes deadly
consequences. Explore all the different topics here. Theyll give you almost
everything you need to be party smart!

Hey, check out some cool interactive links on the Wellness Centers home page.
Click on the alcohol link.



















Copyright 2008 The Board of Trustees
of the University of Illinois



Table of Contents


Introduction to the Zone
What is a drink?
The 013 Party Rule: Know it, Use it
Party Safety 101
Drinking and women
Drinking and men
Do you have a drinking problem?
What to say if someone is trying to force you to take a drink or play a drinking game
Heres the fine line between just right and trashed
Illinois Social Host Law
101 ways to have fun without drinking
I dont drink because
How to become a responsible drinker
Signs of alcohol poisoning and what to do


Coming Soon:
Gross Out Facts about Drinking
Links to national and local student orgs that practice abstinence or safe drinking
UIC AOD policy






















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What is the standard?

A Standard drink is:
One 12-ounce bottle of beer* or wine cooler (5 percent alcohol or less)
One 5-ounce glass of wine (9 14 percent alcohol)
1.5-ounces of distilled spirits (40 percent alcohol or more)
















Notes of caution:
Different beers have different alcohol content. Malt liquor has higher alcohol content than
most other brewed beverages.
Plastic cups, which are often used to serve alcohol in at parties, are often 16oz cups 1
standard drinks
5-ounces of wine is about half a wine glass a full glass is more than one standard drink
Many mixed drinks have more than one type of alcohol in them for example, long island
iced tea is made up of 4 or 5 different alcohol shots which means one such drink is really 4-
5 standard drinks of alcohol


A standard rule for safe drinking is
One drink or less a day for women
No more than two drinks a day for men


The standard rate at which alcohol metabolizes is
One third of an ounce of pure ethanol an hour


What is binge drinking?
Consuming five or more drinks in a row for males and four or more in a row for
females
Frequent binge drinkers were eight times more likely than non-binge drinkers to miss
a class, fall behind in schoolwork, get hurt or injured, and damage property
In a national study, 91 percent of women and 78 percent of the men who were
frequent binge drinkers considered themselves to be moderate or light drinkers
- 3 -









Past Month Alcohol Use (Purple) by Sex vs. Binge Alcohol Use among Full-Time College Students
(Orange) by Sex vs. Heavy Alcohol Use among Full-Time College Students by Sex Heavy (Blue)



















Relationship between binge alcohol drinking and suicide deaths by state.


Sources:
Swivel Preview; http://www.swivel.com/graphs/show/22995345
US Department of Health and Human Services. Alcohol and Drug Information
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo995/
www.revoluntionhealth.com


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The 013 Party Rule: Know it, Use it

When youre hanging out with friends just remember..



0 is your number if youre driving,
under 21, or pregnant


1 drink per hour is your number for
staying in control


3 drinks per night/outing is your
number for saying no more





Following the 013 rule will help to save your butt! How? Read the following table.

Do this . to avoid this . and get this.
0 drinks:

Pregnant

Under 21




Driving



Fetal alcohol syndrome

Cant drive for 6 months
$500 or more fine
Police record
UIC sanctions

Jail time
Up to $2500 fine
Loss of drivers license
Injure/kill yourself or someone
else


Have a healthy baby

Keep driving privilege
Keep $$$ in your pocket
Clean record


Stay out of jail
Keep $$$ in your pocket
Save lives

No more than 1 drink per hour Impaired judgment
Do something you later regret
Stay in control
Sound judgment
No regrets
No more than 3 drinks per
outing/night
Pass out / Black out
Get in a fight
Alcohol poisoning
Have unwanted / unprotected sex
Remember what you did
No time in the hospital
No STIs
No unwanted pregnancy
- 5 -
Party Safety 101






+
=

1. Know who is at your party. Be careful about letting friends of friends of friends into your
home. At some point this friend of a friend of a friend is really a stranger.
2. If youre serving alcohol make sure that everyone at your party is over 21. Saying that
you were keeping minors away from the alcohol doesnt work. You can still get busted
for serving them. How do you make this happen? Card people at the door. Dont take
their word for it.
3. Keep your neighbors happy by keeping down the noise. Too much noise usually means
that you may find the police knocking on your door.

4. If you really care about your friends make sure that if a group drives in together that one
of them is a designated driver. Yeah this can be sort of a drag but so is going to your
friends funeral.
5. According to Illinois Social Host Law you can be held financially responsible for
damages to property and people. So have fun but dont let things get out of control.
6. Keep an eye on how much people are drinking. If a friend is at a point where s/he is
losing control its time to step in and cut them off. Why? Usually when people start
losing control it only gets worse and this is the point in time where they end up hurting
themselves, hurting someone else, or getting hurt by a so called friend.

7. Let your friends know that its okay if they dont want to drink. Have some non-
alcoholic alternatives on hand like fruit juice or pop. This also gives partiers an
alternative to switch to when theyve had too much to drink.
8. Instead of using the huge 22 ounce plastic cups help your friends stay in control by using
the smaller 12 ounce cups.
9. Dont forget to have some snacks on hand. Eating wont keep your guests from getting
drunk but it will slow down how quickly alcohol is absorbed into their system.
10. Steer clear of having drinking games at your party. Why? Because partiers get so caught
up in the competition they drink way more than they normally would. When that
happens binge drinking, alcohol poisoning, and an out of control party are just around the
corner.

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Drinking and Women

Okay ladies, its time for some straight talk. We know
that partying with the guys is a way to get their attention,
have fun, and show them that we can match them drink
for drink

Im sorry to have to tell you this, but drinking while
female has many drawbacks. If you drink moderately,
meaning one drink per hour and/or no more then one
drink per day, then youre okay.

But when youre drinking too much in a short period of
time or drinking too much every day it catches up with
you in a bad way. In fact, in some areas of your life and health, drinking can hit women harder
then men. For example, having more than 2 or more drinks a day has been connected to
increased risk for breast cancer. Drinking too much alcohol can also make you do things you
wouldnt normally do (like make out with a guy you dont know very well) and make you more
vulnerable to physical or sexual attack.

So watch out! Drinking safely is not dumb or boring. Its the smart way to have fun and not
have to deal with the consequences of one alcohol induced bad idea for the rest of your life.

If you want help on how to steer clear of peer pressure click on the link in this Beer Free Zone
called What to say if someone is trying to force you to take a drink or play a drinking game.

Meanwhile check out some of the effects of drinking on women:


Physical Effects
Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men
o Women will have higher Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) after
consuming the same amount of alcohol as men
o Therefore, women experience the adverse physical effects of drinking quicker
then men and at lower drinking rates
Lower BAC in women is related to women having less water in their bodies than men.
A womans brain and other organs are therefore, exposed to more alcohol than men,
increasing risks for
o Liver damage
o High blood pressure & heart disease and
o Breast cancer
Women experience worse hangovers than men





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Possible Sexual and Physical Consequences
Especially on college campuses, the following are more likely among students who drink
heavily:
o Unwanted sexual attention
o Sexual assault
o Unprotected sex
o Sexually transmitted disease
o Unwanted / unplanned pregnancy
Over half of sexual assaults among college students involve alcohol
While the number of alcohol related fatal traffic accidents involving men are decreasing,
those involving women are INCREASING
Female alcoholics are 50 to 100 times more likely to die than male alcoholics (including
deaths from suicides, motor vehicle accidents, heart disease and liver disease)



Social Effects
Forty-Seven percent of women who used substances have experienced emotional,
physical, or sexual trauma.
Women who drink heavily experience more moderate to extreme levels of violent
conflict with their partners.
Some women report being initiated into drug use by male partners.
Some women report fear that quitting would bring punishment from male partners.
Women are more likely to drink in solitude
Women are less likely to seek help or treatment



Sources:
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2005) Alcohol: A Womens Health Issue. NIH
Publication No. 04-4956
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (1997) Alcohol Alert. Publication No.35 PH 371
















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Drinking and Men


Okay guys, its time for some straight talk. We know that partying with your friends is a way to
have fun, meet girls, and show the other guys that you can match them drink for drink. For some
guys drinking large amounts, more then 2 drinks an hour, shows others how much of a man they
are. Cause only wimps play it safe and drink responsibly or not at all. Right? Wrongoh so
wrong.

Drinking responsibly or not drinking at all is smart but its hard for guys to do. Its hard
because, even more than women, there is a lot of peer pressure put on you to drink heavy and to
drink often. If you dont then your manhood is called into question, with taunts like, You
mamas boy. At some point you are going to have to decide who is in charge of your decisions
your friends or YOU. When you decide to take a stand and do the right thing your way, it wont
be easy, but in the end you truly will be the better men. And youll definitely be better off than
the guy whose puking his guts out.

If you want help on how to steer clear of peer pressure clink on the link in this Beer Free Zone
called. What to say if someone is trying to force you to take a drink or play a drinking game.
Meanwhile check out some of the effects of
drinking on men.

Physical Effects
Alcohol metabolism in men has been
associated with
o testicular injury
o impaired testosterone synthesis,
and
o impaired sperm production
This may often result in
o Decreased muscle production
o Decreased sex drive
o Reduced capacity for penile
erection
o Decreased semen production
o Decreased testes size
o Feminization syndrome
o Increased risk of breast cancer
(yes, men can get breast
cancer), and


Sources:
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (1997) Alcohol Alert. Publication
No.35 PH 371
New Behavior Institute:
http://www.newbehaviorinstitute.net/1084900.html

- 9 -

Do You Have a Drinking Problem?


Most students have used alcohol in one form or another. But many don't realize that young
people can have a drinking problem.

Ask yourself these 20 questions:
1. Do you lose time from classes or miss class due to
drinking?
"How can I tell if I'm a problem
drinker?"
2. Do you drink because you are uncomfortable in
social situations?
3. Do you drink to build up your self confidence?
4. Is drinking affecting your relationships with friends?
5. Do you drink alone?
6. Do you drink to escape from studies or home
worries?
7. Do you feel guilty or depressed after drinking?
8. Does it bother you if someone says that maybe you
drink too much?
9. Do you have to take a drink when you go out on a
date?
10. Do you get along better with other people when you
drink?
11. Do you get into financial troubles over buying liquor?
12. Do you feel more important when you drink?
13. Have you lost friends since you started drinking?
14. Do you drink more than most of your friends?
15. Have you started hanging around with a crowd that
drinks more than your old friends?
16. Do you drink until you just couldn't drink anymore?
17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory from
drinking?
18. Have you ever been to a hospital or been arrested due to drunken behavior?
19. Do you turn off to any studies or lectures about drinking?
20. Do you think you have a problem with alcohol?


If you answered yes to some of these questions, you have some of the symptoms that indicate a
problem with alcohol.

Remember, there is no intelligent reason to deny that you have a health problem. If you think
you do have a problem, the most important thing is to do something about it!


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


- 10 -



Alcohol abuse is a problem that can affect people of any age. Here are some additional signs that
someone has a problem with alcohol:

Family or social problems associated with drinking.
Hiding liquor.
Lying about drinking (minimizing the number of drinks or
the fact of drinking at all).

"Cute tattoo. Where did you get
that?"
Making promises about drinking to oneself or others ("to
cut down on drinking," "to be more careful," etc.).
Drinking to escape from pressure or to solve life's
problems.
Feeling guilty after drinking or regret over what was done
while drinking.
Getting drunk even when intending to stay sober.
Friends sometimes express concern over the amount of
drinking one does.
Significantly increased tolerance to alcohol (early
indication of problem drinking).
Drinking capacity, once big, is now dropping (later
indication of problem drinking).
"Blackouts"--not recalling the drinking episode.
Increased absenteeism and lateness (job or classes).
More susceptibility to accidents and illness.
Preoccupation with drinking.
Marked changes in behavior or personality when drinking.
Getting drunk frequently.
Gulping drinks.
Academic or job difficulties related to drinking.

If you or someone you know is showing these warning signs, please think about getting help.



Adapted from
Alcohol Education and Training Program, Rutgers University.
Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
http://www.med.unc.edu/wrkunits/3ctrpgm/alcohol/prevention/signs.html










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What to say if someone is trying to force you to take a drink or
play a drinking game.



Whether you decide not to drink at all or to drink responsibly,
you may find yourself in a situation where one person or a group
of people are trying to get you to drink. Sometimes the people
who are pressuring you the most are the people that youre the
closest to.

What follows is a list of things that you can say that will help to
stop people from pressuring you. However, if you use one of
these ideas and you keep getting pressured, you have to ask
yourself Whats in it for them? What does this person gain by
getting me drunk?




Is this an opportunity for them to humiliate you, take your stuff, or to take sexual advantage of
you? If they refuse to hear what youre saying and leave you alone, then you need to
immediately leave the situation.

Medical condition
I cant, my doctor said using alcohol would mess with this condition I have

Medication / Allergic reactions
Last time I used that stuff I ended up in the hospital.
I cant use any alcohol with this medication Im on.

Academic
I got a paper that I have to finish up tomorrow.

Refer to a higher authority
I cant, theyre starting to do drug checks at my job.
Im the designated driver.
I could lose my housing.
I could get kicked out of school.
My parents are picking me up early tomorrow morning.
Im on academic probation and if I get out of line I could get kicked out of
school.






- 12 -
Heres the Fine Line between Just Right and Trashed
Drinks per hour You feel Symptoms
<1 drink per hour Fine Nothing anyone can see
1 - 2 drinks per hour Happy Euphoria or giddiness
Increased sociability
Loss of inhibitions
>2 drinks per hour Sloppy Poor memory
Slurred speech
Clumsiness
3-4 drinks per hour Loaded Drowsiness
Disorientation
Nausea and vomiting
Exaggerated emotions
(I Love You)
>4 drinks per hour Trashed Stupor
Vomiting
Incontinence
(Source: www.adpulp.com)


- 13 -

Illinois Social Host Law

The basic provisions of the law are:
1. Persons over 18 who willfully supply alcohol beverages or illegal drugs to a person under 18
years of age and cause impairment of such person are liable for death or injuries to persons or
property caused by that impairment.
2. Recovery may be had by persons, and their surviving spouses and next of kin, who are injured,
in person or property, by the impaired person (which is similar to the Dram Shop Act) and
persons under age 18 who are injured in person or property by an impairment that was caused by
the unlawful consumption of alcohol beverages or illegal drugs (which is dissimilar to the Dram
Shop Act).
3. A right of action exists in a persons own name, jointly and severally, for damages against the
person who sells, gives or delivers alcohol beverages or illegal drugs, causing or contributing to
the impairment of the person under the age of 18; or willfully permits consumption of alcohol
beverages or illegal drugs on non-residential premises owned or controlled by the person.
4. An action for damages under this new law must be brought within two years after the right of
action arises or it is barred.
Damages include economic damages, including, but not limited to:
the cost of treatment and rehabilitation
medical expenses
loss of economic or educational potential
loss of productivity
absenteeism
support expenses
accidents or injury and any other pecuniary loss proximately caused by the impairment
And non-economic damages, including, but not limited to:
physical and emotional pain
suffering
physical impairment
emotional distress
mental anguish
disfigurement
loss of enjoyment
loss of companionship
services
consortium and other non-pecuniary losses proximately caused

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Reasonable attorneys fees are recoverable, as are costs of suit, including, but not limited to,
reasonable expenses for expert testimony and punitive damages.
Neither contributory negligence nor contributory willful and wanton conduct shall apply to any
injured party claiming damages under the new law.
Under Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934, actions may not be brought against a licensee or
employee of a licensee who supplies alcohol beverages to a person under 21 years of age if the
licensee or employee of the licensee complied with all applicable provisions of the Act.
The 10-month postponement of the accrual of causes of action under the new law was to allow
insurance carriers to examine the impact of the legislation and write, or re-write, policy
language.
While the new law addresses an area which was wanting for relief, many questions remain
unanswered. For example, is existing insurance coverage applicable, and what is the effect of
allowing for the recovery of non-economic damages, including punitive damages?
Despite these uncertainties, it still appears that the non-commercial provider of alcohol to an
adult who over-consumes and causes injuries and damages to third parties may rely on the
common law doctrine that adults are responsible for their own actions. However, everyone who
sells or serves alcohol beverages would be wise to obtain professional advice regarding the
contents and applicability of Illinois new Drug and Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act.

Source: John R. Stanton, Jr. Alcohol Beverage Alert.
Available at: http://www.hklaw.com/content/newsletters/bevalc/alert112404.pdf






















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101 Ways to Have Fun with Friends without Drinking


1. drink exotic non-alcoholic tropical drinks
2. go to a movie
3. go bowling
4. play paintball
5. play the game Twister
6. hang out at Navy Pier
7. play a card game
8. play a card board game like Monopoly
9. play a group game like Cranium or Fact or Crap
10. have a video marathon
11. start working out



Help us get to 101 Ways to Have Fun Without Drinking by sending your ideas to the
Wellness Center at wellness@uic.edu.
Your subject line should read: 101 Ways to Have Fun Without Drinking
























(Source: www.lsxtra.co.uk)



- 16 -

I Dont Drink Because
1. I dont want a beer gut
2. Ive seen my friends do stupid things
3. beer games are dumb
4. people always act so obnoxious
5. Im trying to lose some weight
6. its hard to keep your grades up if youre always partying
7. my dad was an alcoholic and I saw what it did to him and to us
8. I hate hangovers
9. I hate finding out the next day what crazy thing I did last night
10. I made out with someone I normally wouldnt even talk to
11. I dont like how it tastes
12. Im afraid that I might become addicted
13. I got better places to put my money
14. I gotta keep a clear head for my kids
15. Im trying to stay in shape
16. I heard that it can be bad for your liver if you drink too much
17. its against my religion
18. It messes with my head
19. I just dont want to
20. I dont see the fun in puking
21. I have seen what it does to my friends






Add your I dont drink because statement to our list by sending it to
wellness@uic.edu, with the subject line I dont drink because

















- 17 -


How to Become a Responsible Drinker
NEVER drink an drive
Only drink when you want to.
Do not drink to intoxication.
Drink water between drinks.
Eat before you go out drinking
o The rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the blood depends on how
quickly the stomach empties its content into the intestines.
o People who ate a meal that included fat, protein and carbohydrates absorb
alcohol three times more slowly than those that drank on an empty
stomach
No more than one drink per hour
Limit drinks to 2 or less per day for males and 1 or less per day for females
Dont pressure others to drink.
Have a designated driver before you go out.
Dont leave your drink unattended. Any thing could be put into it when youre
back is turned
Know what you are drinking. If its a mystery drink, avoid it.
Look out for your friends drinking behavior.
Know the signs of alcohol poisoning
Dont mix medications with alcohol
o Heavy drinking transforms over the counter medications like Tylenol into
chemicals that can cause liver damage
- 18 -
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Critical Signs and Symptoms
Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
Unconscious or semi-consciousness.
No response to pinching the skin
Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more
than eight seconds.
Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and
symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are
obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive
Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
Take Action:
Know the danger signals.
Do not wait for all symptoms to be present.
Be aware that a person who has passed out may die.
If there is any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help. Don't try to guess the
level of drunkenness.
If you encounter a person who exhibits one or more of the signs and symptoms CALL
911. Do what you would do in any medical emergency--call immediately.
While Waiting for Help to Arrive
While waiting for 911 emergency transport, gently turn the intoxicated person on his/her
side and maintain that position by placing a pillow in the small of the person's back. This
is important to prevent aspiration (choking) should the person vomit. Stay with the person
until medical help arrives. If a person appears to be "sleeping it off" it is important to
realize that even though a person may be semi-conscious, alcohol already in the stomach
may continue to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. The person's
life may still be in danger. If you are having difficulty in determining whether an
individual is acutely intoxicated, contact a health professional immediately--you cannot
afford to guess.



Sources:
National Council on Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Inc
www.uleth.ca/alcohol/poison.html

- 19 -
(Source: www.safegrad.com
- 20 -
)