This page provides information about alcohol and other drugs. It is intended to help educate the campus community about the effects of drugs and alcohol.
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug on college campuses, including Rhodes. However, many students at 51ÁÔĆć College choose not to consume any alcohol (Healthy Minds Survey, 2023). Should you choose to drink, we want you to understand that the effects of alcohol can be long lasting. Consumption of alcohol is measured through the standard drink.
What is a standard drink?
In the United States, a standard drink has .6 ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol.
One standard drink is equivalent to:
- 12 ounces of beer with 5% alcohol.
- 8 ounces of malt liquor with 7% alcohol (including hard seltzer).
- 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol.
- A shot or 1.5 ounces of liquor or distilled spirts (80-proof liquor) (including rum, vodka, and tequila). 80 proof means the liquor has 40% alcohol.
The beer, hard seltzer, or wine that you drink may have a higher alcohol concentration than these guidelines. Mixed drinks may contain one or more shots of alcohol.
Find out more:
If you choose to drink it is important to know how alcohol affects your body. The effects of alcohol vary from person to person based on number of drinks consumed, how often you drink, rate of consumption, your gender, weight and, age, your health status, your family history, how much food you have eaten (, ). Because we measure alcohol based on a standard drink, it isn't the type of alcohol you choose to consume but rather the quantity of standard drinks that increases your blood alcohol content.
What is Blood Alcohol Content?
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is how we measure the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood. As the BAC rises so do the effects and degree of harm. In Tennessee the legal limit for impaired driving is 0.08% for people over the age of 21 and 0.02% for people under 21 but older than 16. ()
What to do if you suspect a friend may be experiencing alcohol overdose
Recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning/overdose
- Unconscious or semiconscious state
- Slow respiration (less than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia – cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Vomiting
- Seizures
If you witness any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 and Campus Safety. After calling 911 place the person in the recovery position (fetal position, lying on their side) and stay with them until help arrives. It is important that the person stay on their side. If you suspect alcohol overdose and an individual has one or more of these symptoms call 911 to get help.
Rhodes College Amnesty Policy
Rhodes offers an amnesty policy for students who are offering support and assistance for peers who may be experiencing challenges with substance use. Student safety is of utmost importance to the College. To encourage Students to make responsible decisions, Rhodes College recognizes the need for amnesty from College sanctions in certain situations. Amnesty under this policy, when granted, excuses a Student, RSO, or AG from College sanctions under the Standards of Conduct. Amnesty is intended to promote action when an emergency situation is present. The Amnesty policy is maintained in the
Binge Drinking
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or more. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds with consuming 5 or more drinks for a male and 4 or more drinks for a female in about 2 hours. Binge drinking can have serious effects on your health or safety.
Check out for more information on drinking while in college.
Do you think you’re drinking too much? No matter how much you drink, check in with yourself about how much you are drinking. Even if you don’t want to stop drinking entirely, drinking less alcohol can improve your health and well-being.
Check out these four tips from the CDC if you want to cut back on your drinking:
Set limits
- Know how much you drink now and consider if it is excessive or harmful to your health.
- Decide how many days a week you will drink and/or how many drinks you plan to have.
- Schedule alcohol-free days.
Count your drinks
- Know how much a “standard” drink is and how that compares to how much alcohol you are drinking.
- Alternate between alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.
Manage your triggers
- Think about when, where, and with whom you are tempted to drink the most and limit those interactions.
- Consider removing alcohol from your home.
Find support
- Ask for help from friends, family, health care providers, or campus resources who will help support you in drinking less.
Check out more: Take a to develop a personalized feedback plan to help you drink less.
Find out even more. . This interactive, online program that provides immediate, personalized feedback about alcohol use and related variables.
Cannabis: Myth that cannabis is harmless
Cannabis has both short- and long-term effects on the brain. Smoking cannabis can contribute to breathing problems similar to those who smoke tobacco. Cannabis increases heart rate for up to 3 hours after use, increasing risk of heart attack. Regular, long-term cannabis use can cause some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which causes severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration that may require emergency medical attention to stabilize. Compared to those who don’t use cannabis, those who frequently use large amounts report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, and more relationship problems.
Cannabis: Myth that driving high is safer than driving drunk
After alcohol, cannabis is the substance most often associated with impaired driving. Studies have shown an association between acute cannabis use and car crashes. Cannabis affects areas of the brain that control body movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment. Cannabis use can impair skills required for safe driving, including slowing reaction time, impairing coordination, and distorting perception.
What about Delta 8 and Delta 9?
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are 2 varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not found in significant amounts in the cannabis plant. As a result, concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from help-derived cannabidiol. Many of the delta-8 products on the market are synthetic.
Delta 9 is the most abundant form of THC found in the cannabis plant. The chemical formula of delta-9 is similar to that of delta-8, except one of the carbon bonds is in a different position. This comes with a marked impact on the effects of the drug, making delta-9 typically much more potent.
Delta-8 and 9 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use and may be marketed in ways that put public health at risk. The FDA has received adverse event reports involving delta-8 and delta-9-containing products. Of the 104 reports of adverse events received by the FDA between 12/1/2020 and 2/28/22, 55% required intervention (e.g. evaluation by emergency medical services) or hospital admission. 66% described adverse events after ingestion of delta-8 THC-containing food products (brownies, gummies, etc).
General Substance Use Risk Reduction Options:
1. Practice stress relieving activities throughout the week, so that when the weekend comes there will not be the feeling that you “need” some relief.
2. Watch out for attending events where the sole purpose of the event is to use substances – choose to attend events where there is some other focus for enjoyment or entertainment. When using drugs and alcohol is the main focus of the event, it is easy for things to get out of hand.
3. If you have several risk factors for substance use problems, seriously consider the role of substances in your life. You should try to keep use to the bare minimum – or you may even choose to abstain.
4. Regularly assess the role of drugs and alcohol in your life. If you notice that substance use is becoming increasingly important, take a moment to analyze whether the new level of use is worth the risk.
Want to learn more about your cannabis use? Check out . This an interactive, online program provides immediate, personalized feedback about cannabis use and related variables.
SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to their full potential.
This definition does not describe recovery as an end state, but rather as a process. Complete symptom remission is neither a prerequisite of recovery nor a necessary outcome of the process. Recovery can have many pathways that may include professional clinical treatment; use of medications; support from families and in schools; faith-based approaches; peer support; and other approaches. There are four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:
- Health: Learning to overcome, manage, or more successfully live with symptoms and making healthy choices that support one’s physical and emotional wellbeing
- Home: A stable and safe place to live
- Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteer work, or creative endeavors; increased ability to lead a self-directed life; and meaningful engagement in society
- Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope
Learn more about SAMHSA’s .
How to be a recovery ally
Recovery Ally Training
This training is designed to equip participants with the appropriate knowledge needed to better address problems with substance misuse that may exist on campus. Our primary purpose is to raise awareness, increase understanding, and build confidence in those eager to help people who may be struggling on campus. Recovery Ally training is provided by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. To schedule a training, email wellbeing@rhodes.edu. Find more information on the .
Do you have lived experience? Want to become a Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist? This program is designed specifically with young adults in mind to address the unique experiences that occur within the transitional age period for young adult peers. This program certifies young adults ages 18 through 30 in Tennessee, who have lived experience with or are on a healing and wellness journey from mental illness and/or substance abuse for at least a year, to provide peer support to other young adults with a similar background. More information on .
Where to find support:
This assessment is for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol, drugs, or other behaviors (gambling, self harm, etc.). It is an survey to access different types of addiction.
1 (888) – GET- HOPE (438-4673)
(find local meetings)
: This website helps focus the search for alcohol treatment to find options that increase the chance for success. The Navigator helps people learn about different types of alcohol treatment options and how to spot quality treatment, as well as linking to databases of providers and recommending questions to ask them.
The Tennessee REDLINE is the 24/7/365 resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text 800-889-9789 for confidential referrals.