Many UT students like to go out with friends and have a good time. For some, this may involve alcohol. While most students drink in moderation, sometimes having a great time with friends may turn into a situation involving hangovers, memory loss, physical and sexual violence, and an assortment of preventable negative consequences related to high-risk alcoholic drinking and drug use.

Playing It Safe
Avoiding Alcohol/Drug-Related Problems

Taking some risks is expected and a normal part of the college experience. Setting a few guidelines will help you and your friends to avoid problems that may have a lasting impact on your life and that of your friends. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of harm to yourself or others by:

• thinking and planning ahead,
• setting low to moderate drinking and other drug use limits,
• eliminating unreasonable risks where possible, and
• reducing the number of negative consequences.

What You Can Do

UT students use a variety of simple techniques to reduce the risk and potential harm associated with drinking. Research shows that the more techniques a person uses, the less likely he/she will experience negative consequences (i.e., hangovers, regret, memory loss, etc.). For example, UT students can do three or more of the following to reduce alcohol related risks:

• Choose safe and familiar settings in which to drink
• Drink with people you know and trust
• Use a designated driver
• Set a limit and stick to it
• Count your drinks
• Know the Bacchus Maneuver
• Learn how to say, "No thanks" and "No more"
• Avoid all drinking games
• Eat something before and while you drink
• Alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks
• Avoid drinking while taking medications
• Mix your own drinks or know exactly what's in them
• Have a plan to get home safely
• Pace drinks to one or fewer per hour