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There are many reasons UM students choose not to drink—whether for tonight, for a season of life, or long term: 

• To stay focused and perform well academically 

• To support athletic performance, training, and recovery 

• To protect future goals and careers that could be impacted by an alcohol-related incident 

• To save money and reduce unnecessary expenses 

• To improve sleep, energy, and mental clarity 

• To be a designated sober driver and help friends get home safely 

• To stay safe while enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, skiing, rafting, or swimming 

• As part of personal values, culture, or spiritual practices 

• Because they are under 21 and choosing to follow the law 

• To avoid legal or campus conduct consequences 

• Because alcohol or other substances have become hard to manage 

• As part of recovery or exploring a sober or sober-curious lifestyle 

• Due to health conditions or medications that don’t mix well with alcohol 

Some students do drink, and many do so in ways that prioritize safety and balance. Responsible use looks different for everyone and may include: 

• Eating before and during drinking can help your body process alcohol. 

• Alternating alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic options can help you pace yourself. 

• Skipping drinking games can reduce pressure to drink more than you planned. 

• Setting personal limits—like how much or how often you drink—can help keep nights enjoyable. 

• Respect when someone chooses not to drink and avoid providing alcohol to anyone under 21. 

• Plan ahead for a safe way home, such as a sober friend, designated driver, or rideshare. 

• When you’re stressed, sick, or overly tired, avoid drinking. 

• Alcohol can interact dangerously with medications, pregnancy, recovery, or other substances. 

• Avoid mixing alcohol with marijuana, opioids, sedatives, painkillers, or other drugs to protect your health. 

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s staying aware of how alcohol affects you. 

Knowing what counts as a standard drink can help you pace yourself, avoid drinking more than you intend, and better recognize when alcohol use may be getting risky for yourself or others. 

A standard drink in the U.S. is: 

• 12 oz beer (5% alcohol) 

• 5 oz wine (12% alcohol) 

• 1.5 oz liquor (40% alcohol) 

Mixed drinks and pours at parties or bars often contain more than one standard drink, which can make alcohol effects stronger and show up faster. 

There’s no single number that’s “too much” for everyone. Alcohol affects people differently based on: 

• Body size and metabolism 

• Food and hydration 

• Medications 

• Stress and sleep 

• Tolerance (which changes over time) 

If alcohol starts interfering with your mood, relationships, classes, safety, or goals, that’s a sign to pause and check in. 

There are plenty of ways to connect and unwind without alcohol that are fun, social, and memorable: 

• Late-night events and campus programs 

• Mocktails and non-alcoholic options 

• Game nights, movement, and creative activities 

• Relaxation spaces like the Relaxation Station and Hibernation Station 

• Campus & Community Events 

• Movie Night, and so much more!! 

Fun doesn’t have to come with a hangover. 

5% of UM students are in recovery. Whether you’re in recovery, taking a break, or just exploring a different relationship with alcohol—you’re not alone. 

UM supports: 

• Students in recovery 

• Students who are sober curious 

• Students who are figuring things out 

Support, connection, and resources are available—no labels required. 

Learn more about your personal alcohol use and habits.  

Take the Personalized Feedback Index (PFI)  to learn more about your personal alcohol use and habits. It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete and is anonymous. 

Even if you do not use alcohol or drink infrequently, you may find this information informative.  

Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Call for help if someone: 

• Puking while passed out 

• Unresponsive to pinching or shaking 

• Breathing is noisy, slow, shallow, or has stopped 

• Skin is blue, cold, or clammy. If a person has darker skin, check for pale lips or nail beds. 

If you see even one PUBS sign, call 911 immediately. 

If you're unsure, call the Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) for free, confidential medical advice 24/7. 

One of the most serious risks of alcohol use is alcohol poisoning. Looking out for one another and calling 9-1-1 when someone shows warning signs can save a life. 

Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency that needs immediate care. It can happen when someone drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short time, is more sensitive to alcohol, or has little experience drinking.

• Call 911 

• Administer naloxone if available 

• Keep the person awake and breathing 

• Place them on their side 

• Stay until help arrives 

Policies | ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú 

The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s Medical Amnesty Policy protects students who call for help during substance-related medical emergencies. Your safety comes first—don’t hesitate to call. 

Drink spiking is the process of adding an additional substance, such as drugs or alcohol, to somebody’s drink without their knowledge or permission.  

Examples: 

• Overpouring 

• Pouring alcohol into a non-alcoholic drink 

• Putting medication or other substances in someone’s drink 

• Placing honey into a vegan’s drink

• Squeezing lemon juice into someone’s drink when they’re allergic 

Source:  

Depending on the substance, symptoms can take effect in as little as 20 minutes, with the quickest symptoms reported being sick, confused, and dizzy. 

• Feeling drunk after little to no alcohol 

• Sudden changes in body temperature 

• Loss of bladder/bowel control 

• Unable to stand 

• Unable to speak 

• Unable to see 

• Unable to concentrate

• Shortness of breath 

• Nausea 

• Confusion 

• Disorientation 

• Hallucinations 

• Dizziness 

• Vomiting 

• Unconsciousness 

• Seizures 

Symptoms reported for days after the incident include memory loss, sickness, and exhaustion. 

Sources:  &  

About 44% of men and 56% of women have been spiked sometime during their lifetime. Of those instances, 52% occurred in college. The most commonly reported places where spiking occurs are at bars, clubs, and house parties.  

Sources:  &  

If you notice any of these visual signs or if your drink has an unusual taste or smell, do not continue drinking.  
While drink testing strips exist, many only test for certain substances, and because of the wide range of substances used to spike drinks, they aren’t always effective.  
Source:  

• Keep an eye on your drinks; never leave them unattended. 

• Watch your drink being prepared. 

• If you receive a drink, clean the outside of the container. 

• Stay in a group of trusted friends, and look out for each other all night.  

• Use a drink topper.

• There are numerous reasons why someone might spike another person’s drink, and none of those reasons are ok.  

• A friend might think they’re doing someone a favor. 

• Someone might believe it’s a funny prank. 

• Other reasons include malicious intent to rob or assault someone, believing it easier to do if they were incapacitated.  

• Source:  

• It’s illegal. 

• It disregards someone’s right to consent.  

• It can lead to harmful consequences, including injury, death, and a criminal record. 

• Someone may drive home not realizing they’ve consumed a substance, creating dangerous situations for the driver and anyone around them. 

• Someone may be allergic to the spiked substance, causing a medical emergency. 

• Someone may be taking medications that aren’t meant to be mixed with other substances, leaving someone vulnerable to side effects. 

• Someone may have a drug test coming up for academics, employment, or athletics.  

• Sources:  &  &