What You Should Know

This guide was created to help students make informed decisions when choosing to drink alcohol and make them question their drinking if they think they are having problems and may need help. It is vital to know how alcohol affects you personally, and respond to that appropriately.

Any person who chooses to drink should be able to answer three questions about their habits:

What do I usually drink?
How much do I usually drink?
How does alcohol affect me?

We will examine each of these questions in depth to help you answer them accurately and make sure you're aware of your own drinking habits.

What Do I Drink?

On at least three occasions this school year, have I consumed the following drinks?

Beer
Liquor
Wine

Questions to ask about each drink you consume include:

The alcohol content (the percentage of alcohol) of my drinks is ______________?
The ingredients of my drinks are ________________? (especially for drinks from an open common-source container)
Have I consumed a drink where the contents were unknown to me?

Drinking from a common source container or accepting an open drink from a person unknown to you increases your risk.

How Much Do I Drink?

During the school year, I typically drink:

Never
Once or twice a month or less
Once or twice a week
Two or Three times per week
Four to Six times a week
Daily

Follow-up questions to consider:

When I drink during the week, the average number of drinks I consume is?
When I drink on the weekend, the average number of drinks I consume is?
What is my total average alcohol intake per week?
Do I sometimes drink more than I intended?
Do I "pre-party" before going out?
Have I participated in competitive drinking games?

How Does Alcohol Affect Me?

When drinking, how often do I get drunk?

Never
Usually Not
Sometimes
Most of the Time
Always

Follow-up questions to consider:

Since the beginning of the school year, I have had _____ blackouts.
Does my family have a history of alcohol/drug abuse or dependency?
Have I done things drinking I would not have done sober?
Have I regretted things I have done while drinking/using.?
Have I found myself in risky or dangerous situations when drinking?
Have I told myself or others that I would reduce my drinking/using?
Have I broken promises to myself or others about my drinking?
Can I now drink more than I used to?
Have I made changes in my schedule to accommodate my drinking/using?
Have I driven after drinking or have ridden with someone who has been drinking?
Am I drinking more than I really want to?
Have I found I am less interested in school work and other activities?
Have I used or experimented with other drugs while drinking?

If you answered "Yes" to at least two of the questions asked, talking with a health professional about your problem is highly recommended.

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