Myth-BUZZ-ters

“The more I drink the more fun I’ll have” Moderation is key to optimizing positive social outcomes • Keeping a BAC of .05 will ensure that your social interactions are fun and positive for everyone- including you • Negative outcomes from drinking increase after BAC .05 and increase exponentially after .10

“1 can, bottle, or glass is 1 serving.” All beer is not created equal! • A serving size of 5% alcohol beer (typically light beer) is 12oz (one standard size can) • A serving size of CRAFT beer that measures 7% alcohol is only 8-9oz (about ¾ of a standard size can) • The same goes for liquor • One serving size is 1.5 oz of liquor, or one shot glass • One mixed drink can have 3, 4, or more standard servings of alcohol

“Cold showers, eating, napping, and coffee will help sober me up.” Your BAC drops when your body metabolizes alcohol, which is a process that takes TIME! Showers, food, coffee and sleep (in itself) are not going make you less drunk, only time can do that • The truth is- showers, food, and sleep are all GREAT things to do PRIOR to choosing to drink. • Eating and having adequate sleep prior to drinking will help your body metabolize alcohol, increasing your ability to maintain a low BAC (your friends will appreciate the shower!) • Caffeine may make you feel more alert but will not make you less drunk • Snacking while drinking will also prevent your blood alcohol levels from spiking- which leads to blackouts, vomiting, passing out and over-all not fun things

“I’m a better driver when I’m buzzed because I’m more focused” ALCOHOL • BAC > .08 is ILLEGAL and considered drunk driving • .04.08 is considered impaired driving and CAN be illegal • Depending on some factors, a BAC of .04 could happen after even ONE drink and a BAC of .08 could happen after TWO. *this depends on several factors (age, sex, genetics, how long and how regularly you drink, how quickly you drink the drinks and how much time you space between them to name a couple!)

• Alcohol reduces muscle control, coordination, reaction time, vision, depth perception, and decision making DRIVINING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL HAS DECREASED OVERALL IN AMERICA!

“I’m a better driver when I’m buzzed because I’m more focused” MARIJUANA • Driving while high is ILLEGAL. You risk the same consequences as driving while drunk • There is no “legal limit” equivalent for marijuana which means driving after any use is illegal • Marijuana decreases depth perception, motor coordination, reaction time, and may cause sleepiness and/or hallucinations DRIVINING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA HAS INCREASED OVERALL IN AMERICA!

“The effect of marijuana depends on the means in which you use it.” • Some types of marijuana are stronger than others, meaning a “hit” of one type can be much stronger than a “hit” of a different type; even if you use the same amount out of the same means • Using concentrates increases the amount & potentency of THC you are taking; Be very cautious while using marijuana hash oil (wax, shatter, earwax, budder, etc.) and “dabbing.” • Edibles can often contain 2, 3, 4, or more “servings” of THC- even small gummy or candy sized edibles.

“Alcohol and marijuana go together like peanut butter and jelly.. Which ironically, I always want after using.” • Although, yes, marijuana and alcohol may both make you want a sandwich, these two substances should not be taken together • Using marijuana (in any form) while drinking alcohol will increase THC absorption, causing a more intense high; meanwhile- Marijuana delays the peak of alcohol impairment, which delays the onset of feeling drunk. Therefore, the effects of both are intensified and can provide an uncomfortable or unsafe experience • Drivers who drank alcohol and used marijuana together are likely to swerve and speed the same as a person driving drunk, even if BAC is less than .08.

“Drinking and using marijuana are inherently bad things that no one should do…ever.” Alcohol and marijuana both have positive and negative effects on health. It’s not about completely abstaining from either, but knowing the risks associated with both to make an informed decision that’s right for you. • Some negative effects on health: alcohol can cause weight gain and liver damage; marijuana is linked to respiratory illness (when smoked), depression, poor sleep quality • Some positive effects on health: alcohol can make a person more relaxed and lively and can combat some cardiovascular diseases; marijuana creates a happy, relaxed feeling and has been linked to pain management and treating PTSD

Rules and Regs- Marijuana • Use and possession of ANY marijuana is prohibited on campus. Students who use, possess or transfer marijuana on campus are in violation of the Student Conduct Code and are subject to disciplinary action • Colorado residents 21 and older can legally purchases and possess up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana • Medical marijuana can be sold to patients 18 and older who have a physician’s recommendation (UCCS Health Center physicians do not provide recommendations for medical marijuana.) You can not bring medical marijuana on campus. • Smoking marijuana on ski hills or in National Parks can subject you to a $5,000 fine- even if you are of legal age. Your pass can be revoked and you can be permanently banned from the ski hill

Rules and Regs- Alcohol • It is against the law for persons under 21 years of age to possess alcohol. Enforcement options may include criminal charges as well as a referral to the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Residence Life and Housing for possible disciplinary sanctions. • The furnishing of alcoholic beverages to underage persons is also against the state law. • Alcohol cannot be consumed or carried in open containers on any street, sidewalk, alley, automobile, or public area. • Alcohol is not permitted in the Summit Village Residence Halls. In the Alpine Village Apartments, any student 21 years of age or older may consume alcohol in his or her room ONLY, and may NOT share alcohol with people under 21.

Vocab • BAC- blood alcohol content (concentration)- this is the legal metric of alcohol intoxication; expressed as a percentage of ethanol in the blood • Cannabis- The plant that produces flowers used as a psychotropic drug referred to as marijuana • Craft beer- a beer made in a traditional or non-mechanized way by a small brewery- often craft beers have a higher alcohol content than commercialized beer • Dabbing- a specific method of using marijuana concentrates that results in a very intense high and is not recommended for beginner users. It involves heating highly concentrated wax-like substances and inhaling the vapor via vapor pen. Some contain 70-90% THC • DUI- Driving Under the Influence- driving while intoxicated or high • Edibles- food, candy, and other edible products that are made with extract from marijuana; often have multiple serving sizes and should be taken with caution because of the amount of THC in them *It can take up to 2 hours for a user to feel the effects of an edible* • THC-Tetrahydrocannabinol- is the principle psychoactive chemical in cannabis