MAPP Strategy, Having Fun, and Playing it Safe

Many Stanford students like to go out with friends and have a good time, which may involve alcohol. While most students drink in moderation, sometimes a night out can lead to an assortment of preventable negative consequences related to high risk drinking and other substance use. 

The NIAAA Reports That Nationally:

• 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes.
• 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
• Roughly 20 percent of college students meet the criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder.
• About 1 in 4 college students report academic consequences from drinking, including missing class, falling behind in class, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

Your MAPP to Safe Drinking

Stanford students use a variety of simple techniques to reduce the risk and potential harm associated with drinking. Research shows that the more techniques a person uses, the less likely he or she will experience negative consequences (e.g., hangovers, vomiting, memory loss, etc.). There are many risk reducing strategies. One easy way to remember a few is through the acronym "MAPP".

• Measure: Measure and pour your own drinks whenever possible. This also means counting how many STANDARD drinks you have had. 
• Alternate: Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Every registered party should have EANABS available. 
• Pace: As a general rule, 1 alcoholic beverage per hour is a safe bet. More importantly, track your personal BAC to know how you should pace out your drinking. 
• Plan: Before you start drinking, make a plan for how you are going to get there and back safely, decide on a designated driver, how much you plan to drink that night etc. 

There are many other ways to reduce risk while drinking. Take a look at these below: 

• Choose safe and familiar settings in which to drink.
• Drink with people you know and trust who can remind you of your limits.
• Add extra ice to your drink to water it down.
• Pay attention to alcohol by volume (ABV). Natty light is not the same as a Lagunitas IPA.
• Use a designated driver and if on campus call 5-SURE to get you home!
• Know the Bacchus Maneuver.
• Learn how to say "No thanks" and "No more."
• Avoid all drinking games.
• Eat something before and while you drink -- preferably within 4 hours of when you plan to have a drink
• Avoid drinking while taking medications and ALWAYS check with your doctor about the risks of drinking on your medications.