2008 Woodie Awards
False Facts About Alcohol
Nicole Nagel
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Lifestyle
One fact that is not false is that many college students engage in drinking alcohol within their college career. Not everybody, but on the weekends it is the choice way for many people to unwind and ease the stress. The problem with drinking alcohol is that many people have inaccurate ideas about what alcohol does, or what it does not do to you. Here are some common misconceptions about drinking.
Alcohol kills your brain cells. We have all heard our parents or professors say that if we keep drinking we will kill all of our brain cells. Moderate consumption, such as one drink per hour, of alcohol does not destroy brain cells and, in fact, it is often associated with improved cognitive ability.
Drinking is not that dangerous. One in three of the 18-24 year olds who are taken to the emergency room for severe injuries is intoxicated. Due to decreased vision and the ability to make choices, alcohol is also associated with murders, suicides, and drownings.
You can sober up quickly if you have to. Just take a cold shower and drink some coffee. Depending on your weight, it takes about three hours for 2 alcoholic beverages to leave your system. So if you decide to drink a half a case in one night, you may still be drunk when you get up in the morning.
Bottles of tequila contain a worm. A different kind of alcohol, called mescal, contains a worm. What is actually in tequila is a butterfly caterpillar called gurano
You can drink and still be in control. Drinking impairs your judgment, making it much more likely that you will do something you regret the next day. It can be anything from something minor like making a fool out of yourself in front of your crush, or as serious as date rape.
Alcohol makes you friendlier. All drinking does is take away the social norms that you abide to drunk. Since your inhibitions are lowered, you are more likely to pour your heart out and think you connect with people you have just met.
The United States is one of the heaviest consumers of alcohol. Actually, the U.S. does not even make the top ten alcohol consuming countries. We are actually ranked at 32nd on the list.
College is where most people start drinking. Most students entering college have previous experience drinking, and the number of people who drink does not greatly increase once they get into college.
Drinking warms you up. Alcohol causes blood to go up to the skin's surface, causing body temperature to drop. It also moves blood away from fingertips and toes, so there is a better chance of getting frostbite.
It is better if you learn to hold your alcohol. People who can drink more without getting drunk have developed a tolerance for alcohol, which can be a sign of the onset of dependency.
Men and women who are the same height and weight can drink the same amount. Since women tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fat to lean muscle tissue, alcohol is concentrated more easily in their lower percentage of body water, thus affecting them more.
Hopefully, clearing up some of the myths many people hold can make drinking an improved, and safer experience.
Alcohol kills your brain cells. We have all heard our parents or professors say that if we keep drinking we will kill all of our brain cells. Moderate consumption, such as one drink per hour, of alcohol does not destroy brain cells and, in fact, it is often associated with improved cognitive ability.
Drinking is not that dangerous. One in three of the 18-24 year olds who are taken to the emergency room for severe injuries is intoxicated. Due to decreased vision and the ability to make choices, alcohol is also associated with murders, suicides, and drownings.
You can sober up quickly if you have to. Just take a cold shower and drink some coffee. Depending on your weight, it takes about three hours for 2 alcoholic beverages to leave your system. So if you decide to drink a half a case in one night, you may still be drunk when you get up in the morning.
Bottles of tequila contain a worm. A different kind of alcohol, called mescal, contains a worm. What is actually in tequila is a butterfly caterpillar called gurano
You can drink and still be in control. Drinking impairs your judgment, making it much more likely that you will do something you regret the next day. It can be anything from something minor like making a fool out of yourself in front of your crush, or as serious as date rape.
Alcohol makes you friendlier. All drinking does is take away the social norms that you abide to drunk. Since your inhibitions are lowered, you are more likely to pour your heart out and think you connect with people you have just met.
The United States is one of the heaviest consumers of alcohol. Actually, the U.S. does not even make the top ten alcohol consuming countries. We are actually ranked at 32nd on the list.
College is where most people start drinking. Most students entering college have previous experience drinking, and the number of people who drink does not greatly increase once they get into college.
Drinking warms you up. Alcohol causes blood to go up to the skin's surface, causing body temperature to drop. It also moves blood away from fingertips and toes, so there is a better chance of getting frostbite.
It is better if you learn to hold your alcohol. People who can drink more without getting drunk have developed a tolerance for alcohol, which can be a sign of the onset of dependency.
Men and women who are the same height and weight can drink the same amount. Since women tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fat to lean muscle tissue, alcohol is concentrated more easily in their lower percentage of body water, thus affecting them more.
Hopefully, clearing up some of the myths many people hold can make drinking an improved, and safer experience.
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