Every March, college students around the country partake in celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day. A recent study by the National Library of Medicine found that 51% of college students consume alcohol during ‘St. Patty’s Day’ parties and are “more likely to engage in heavy drinking” around this holiday. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, BG Falcon Media wanted to share some tips for students to stay safe around these popular celebrations.

You must be 21 years or older to consume alcoholic beverages in the state of Ohio. [1]. 

Prioritize safety

Celebrations can get crowded, loud and sometimes dangerous. It’s a good idea to stay in a group, or near people you know and trust. It’s also important to have your phone charged and to let someone else who is not with you know where you are at all times. A good way to do this is by sharing your location. Before going out, preplan how you will get home, if you’ll be consuming alcohol or other substances, arrange for a designated driver, or call the local student-run business ZiggyZooms at 419-484-4417.

Eat throughout the day

Enjoy a good meal before leaving and snack during festivities. Foods with protein, fiber and healthy fats help to slow the absorption of alcohol in your bloodstream. Food in your system gives you more energy and can help prevent spikes in blood alcohol. According to Harvard Health Publishing, eating frequent snacks can help your body receive the steady supply of nutrients it needs. Similarly, food helps to counteract the dehydration that can accompany drinking alcohol. 

Beware of peer pressure

Other partygoers may try to heavily encourage you to drink alcohol or consume other substances. It’s okay to say “no thanks” when you feel like you’ve had enough or are not interested. Preplan a refusal before going out, just to be prepared if this happens. Another good trick is to carry a non-alcoholic drink with you, as people are less likely to push alcohol onto someone who is already carrying a drink.

Don’t leave your drink unattended

If you are consuming alcohol, make sure you always know where your drink came from and never leave it unattended. If someone offers you a pre-opened drink or a mixed drink, it’s a good idea to refuse, as you don’t know the contents inside. It can be easy for someone to harm you if they have access to your drink, so keep it with you at all times.

To learn more about the study done by the National Library of Medicine, please follow this link.

To learn more about alcohol safety, please follow these links: Aultman, U of M, Texas Tech