With all the excitement and celebrations involved in a new school year, drinking is something that happens. It does have a place when it can be fun but sometimes university students can get carried away and that is when problems can occur.

The clinical picture of intoxication levels differs from person to person, and in the same person from time to time.

The following is a picture of the Average Intoxicated Person (numbers show blood alcohol levels):

0.00 – 0.05: Most of these people appear clinically normal. Some of them have an

euphoria. Reaction time is slowed down two times.

(euphoria is an over the top giddiness or happiness)

0.05 – 0.10: Loss of inhibitions, self-criticism and has exaggerated self-confidence. Loss

of concentration and normal judgement. Affected coordination.

Reaction time is slowed down 4 times.

0.10 – 0.15: Further loss of self-critism, emotional instability, memory problems. Early

ataxia, apraxia and agraphia. Reaction time is slowed down further.

Orientation concerning time, place and person may be affected.

(ataxia – lack of voluntary muscle control; apraxia- inability to perform an action that you are deliberately trying to perform; agraphia- impaired speech ability)

0.15 – 0.25: Ataxia, agraphia, apraxia. Coordination severely affected. Loss of

orientation. Emotional instability. Balance disturbances. Apathy and

emotional eruptions. Numbness and slowed reaction to pain stimuli.

Partial amnesia.

(amnesia- memory loss)

0.25 – 0.35: Worsening of the abovementioned. Total loss of muscle coordination.

Apathy and sometimes stupor. Total loss of orientation. Amnesia.

0.35-higher: Stupor followed by coma. General anaestesia and paresis. Suppression of the

vital centres in the brain with cardio respiratory collapse and death

(taken from an Arrive Alive online publication http://www.arrivealive.co.za/document/classification.pdf)

Now that was a little heavy but it’s important to know your limit. You can have a few drinks, have a good time and still REMEMBER what happened last night. Once you hit the “partial amnesia” state, things can go bad really quick.

One important thing to note for guys and girls: If someone is too drunk to say yes, they are saying NO.  Having sex with someone who is unable to consent is considered sexual assault. DON’T BE THAT GUY, or girl.