The best way to reduce your risk of consequences from alcohol use is to abstain from drinking or not drink until you are 21. However, we recognize that students may decide to socialize by drinking alcohol with friends on campus or at parties. Please remember that it is your choice whether to drink or not, but consuming alcohol under the age of 21 will result in consequences as you will have violated Loyola’s community standards. Drinking alcohol too often or in an unhealthy way at any age can negatively impact your health, safety, academics, and relationships. If you do choose to drink, remember to practice care for yourself and others and drink in a way where you are making the best choices for yourself and are not going over your limit. 

If you choose to drink when you go out, remember the Student Promise, remember the Good Sam policy, and follow these quick tips to stay safe, have fun and stay in control if you or your friends choose to drink:

• Pace your drinking to 1 drink or less per hour (it takes an hour for your liver to get rid of one drink)

• Avoid or limit shots of hard liquor, pregaming too much before a party can cause you to show up already intoxicated and less in control. 

• Sip your drink; don’t chug or slam a drink, especially by playing drinking games

• Drink plenty of water throughout the party to stay hydrated and potentially prevent a hangover

• Keep track of your drink and what you are drinking, if a stranger hands you a drink politely decline

• If you don't know what is in a drink and now much alcohol it contains (like jungle juice) choose something else

• Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to avoid getting drunk too quickly 

• Do not mix alcohol with prescription medicines and other depressants 

• Avoid alcoholic beverages with caffeine (Depressants and stimulants don't mix!) 

• Eat food (with fat/protein) before and during the festivities, snacking is encouraged! 

• Designate a trusted friend to help you stick to your drink limit

• Come up with a plan with friends on how to safely get to and from the party

• Use public transportation or a ride share to get home, never drink and drive. If you are taking an uber or Lyft, do not ride alone if intoxicated and do not put your friend in a Lyft or Uber by themselves if they have been drinking. (Ramblers need to stick together!) 

Also, please remember that your choices do not just affect you, they affect the safety and well being of your friends and the Loyola community. If you choose to drink, please consume in a low risk way that does not affect the safety and college experience of other Ramblers. As you are going out with friends, we also ask you to care for your peers and call for help or use the Good Samaritan policy in the case of an alcohol or drug related emergency. 

Resources: 

College Alcohol Related Statistics 

The Ohio State University, Alcohol Facts for First Year College Students 

Stanford Office of Alcohol Policy and Education 

Rethinking Drinking