Photo: Sarah Andrews

The Times-Delphic is a student-run newspaper. As students talking to fellow students, it’s not our place to shake a finger at those who drink. We’re not your parents and, strictly concerning age, we’re (mostly) all adults here.

According to the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 83 percent of college students drink. But are we drinking safely? Would your parents revoke your allowance if they knew what it was going toward four nights a week? Can you really call yourself an adult if you over-drink and lose control of your bladder?

Yes, 83 percent of college students drink. But if you’re going to be part of the statistic — male or female, under- or of legal age, one-time or repeat user — do it responsibly.

WHAT IS BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT?

Virginia Tech’s Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program says that Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the percent of alcohol present in the blood, found by drawing a sample of blood. Breathalyzers can also give a fairly reliable estimate of intoxication.

A person with a BAC of 0.08, the highest level of intoxication allowed for driving for persons over age 21 has a blood alcohol percentage of .08 percent. Evidence obtained from Breathalyzers can be used as legal evidence in a court of law. Handheld Breathalyzers are available at local pharmacies, although they are less accurate than those used by law enforcement.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control says a standard drink is equal to 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol, or ethanol. For someone who doesn’t drink with Pyrex in hand, each of the following contains the same amount of alcohol:

• 12-ounces of beer.
• 8-ounces of malt liquor.
• 5-ounces of wine.
• 1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor

The CDC states that “drinking in moderation” is defined as having no more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two per day for men. (And no, you can’t save your Monday through Thursday drinks to have extra on the weekends and still be considered to be drinking in moderation).

THERE’S AN IPHONE APP?

If you want to check your BAC during a night on the town and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a Breathalyzer, you can try one of several BAC-measuring applications. BAC calculator “iDrink” quickly measures levels of intoxication by taking information from sex, weight and drink type.

HOW DO YOU STAY SAFE?

Drink water. Alternate between alcohol and H20. If you’re concerned about getting flak for holding a cup of water in a bar, stick a lime in it: Tonic looks the same with or without vodka.

Eat. It absorbs, limiting how quickly alcohol will enter the bloodstream.

Be aware of what medications you’re on — they may adversely interact. Ask a pharmacist or check your prescription’s label.

A study at the University of Manchester found mixing

your alcohol with a carbonated beverage increases the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, while diluting alcohol with water slows absorption. If you don’t like water, opt for juice.

A similar study done at the University of Adelaide found that alcohol enters the bloodstream about 15 minutes faster and subjects had a BAC 0.02 higher when mixed with diet soda than with a regular mixer. If you’re worried about calories, hit the Bell Center on Sunday.

Order your own drinks. As debonair as it is for a stranger to bring you a cup with liquid X at the bar, don’t drink anything you haven’t seen the bartender prepare.

Don’t leave your drinks unattended. Keep them covered.