Alcohol Education Information
Paula Wilkinson Smith is the Prevention Specialist for wellness initiatives. She also works with Western Dakota Tech, Oglala Lakota College, and Black Hills State University-Rapid City through funding obtained through the South Dakota Office of Highway
Safety. For more information, contact Paula at South Dakota Mines Counseling by calling 605-484-7261, or e-mail: Paula.WilkinsonSmith@sdsmt.edu.
Safe Drinking Guidelines
- Set a limit before you go out and stick to it.
- Limit the amount of money you are going to bring with you.
- One drink per hour--no more than three per day.
- For some people drinking is not safe (family history of alcoholism, medication, depressed, pregnant).
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning: How to Help a Friend
Symptoms of alcohol poison
- Person is unconscious or semi-conscious and cannot be awakened.
- Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Check to see if breathing is slow, less than eight times per minute, or irregular, with ten seconds or more between breaths.
- Vomiting while "sleeping" or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting.
Take Action!
If a person has any of these symptoms, he or she is suffering from acute alcohol intoxication.
- Get help, 911 if you are off campus or 9-911 if you use an on-campus phone. If in the residence halls, also call a staff member.
- Do not leave the person alone. Turn the victim on his/her side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.
- Always be "better safe than sorry" if you are not sure what to do. How can your friend be angry about you caring for him or her?
Blood Alcohol Level: Influences on Feelings & Behavior
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Blood Alcohol Level
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Influence on Feelings and Behavior
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.00 - .04
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- Acts as a stimulant
- People experience positive feelings
- No brain functions impaired
- Reason may be impaired due to lower inhibitions
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.05 - .06
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- Acts as a depressant
- Effects begin to change mood, behavior, driving ability
- Stronger emotions--elation--mood swings
- Desire for more to drink
- Slower reaction time
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.07 - .10
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- Poor judgment
- Loss of coordination
- Inflated sense of self as soon as inhibitions are lowered
- DUI
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.11 - .15
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- Major impairment of all physical/mental functions
- Irresponsible behavior
- Difficulty standing, walking, talking
- Intoxication
- Unsteady, clumsy
- Boisterous
- Speech impaired
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.16 - .20
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- Confusion
- Dazed
- Needs assistance walking
- Severe intoxication
- Increased severity of all negative effects
- Pass-out zone
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When and How to Refer Someone to Counseling Services
When to Refer . . .
- Someone tells you that they think they might have a drinking/drug problem.
- Someone tells you that they have been arrested/written up for an alcohol/drug-related incident.
- You notice that someone misses early morning or evening classes because of partying or the aftermath of partying.
- Someone continually sleeps in class.
- You notice that someone's mood changes drastically and there is evidence that they have been drinking/using.
- Someone who makes extremely negative statements about self and others.
- Someone who looks disheveled or has a drastic change in appearance.
- Someone is withdrawn and does not interact with others.
How to Refer . . .
When Confronting Someone About Drinking / Drugging . . .
- Don't do it while they are drunk/high--it gives them excuses and they might not remember.
- Start by saying something like: "I'm going to tell you this because I'm worried (concerned, alarmed, etc.) about you." These words might just make the difference in the person's life.
- Offer support in beginning the process--let them call or e-mail for counseling services from your phone/computer. Make an offer to come with them to their appointment.
- In the near future, ask them whether or not they followed through.
Links to Additional Resources
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