Alcohol Myths
This popular myth claims drinking coffee will sober you up after consuming alcohol.
"What is false? Only time can sober you up, and caffeine may make you feel more awake but doesn’t lower your BAC."
The percentage of college students who report using marijuana regularly (defined as at least once a month).
What is "What is 22%? According to the Monitoring the Future study, about 1 in 5 college students use marijuana regularly."
The percentage of college students who reported not drinking at all in the past month.
What is "What is 38%? According to surveys, more than 1 in 3 college students report abstaining from alcohol entirely."
The myth that addiction is a choice is contradicted by this percentage of people with substance use disorders who have genetic predispositions.
What is "What is 40-60%? Research shows that 40-60% of an individual’s risk for addiction can be attributed to genetics."
The myth that alcohol doesn’t affect your sleep is debunked by research showing it reduces this important stage of sleep.
What is "What is REM sleep? Alcohol interferes with REM sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue."
The percentage of college students who reported engaging in binge drinking in the past month.
What is "What is 32%? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 1 in 3 college students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days."
This myth suggests that prescription medications are always safer than illegal drugs.
What is "What is false? Prescription medications, when misused, can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs, with opioid overdose deaths being a leading cause of accidental death in young adults."
The myth that everyone in college is using drugs or alcohol is disproven by this percentage of students who report never using drugs.
What is "What is 55%? Over half of college students report that they have never used illicit drugs."
The percentage of students who successfully recover from substance abuse with treatment and support.
What is "What is 60%? Studies show that about 6 in 10 people can recover from substance use disorders with proper treatment and support."
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of this type of cancer, even with moderate consumption.
What is "What is breast cancer? Even light to moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women."
Mixing alcohol with this type of beverage is falsely believed to keep you alert, but it increases the risk of alcohol-related harm.
What is "What are energy drinks? A study found that students who mix alcohol with energy drinks are more likely to binge drink and face alcohol-related consequences."
The percentage of college students who report misusing prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, to help with studying.
What is "What is 15%? Approximately 1 in 7 students report misusing stimulants to enhance academic performance."
The percentage of students who say they do not need to drink to have fun at social events.
What is "What is 66%? Surveys show that 2 in 3 students don’t believe drinking is necessary to enjoy themselves at parties or gatherings."
This percentage of people with drug or alcohol addiction are able to hold a job, challenging the stereotype of addicts being unable to function.
What is "What is 70%? Approximately 70% of people with substance use disorders are employed."
This percentage of college students report experiencing academic consequences due to their drinking, such as missing class or falling behind in coursework.
What is "What is 25%? About 1 in 4 college students experience academic issues as a result of alcohol use."
The percentage of college students who have driven under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
What is "What is 18%? Nearly 1 in 5 college students report driving under the influence of alcohol."
The percentage of students who use illicit drugs other than marijuana.
What is "What is 9%? Fewer than 1 in 10 college students report using illicit drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, or hallucinogens."
The myth that smoking marijuana occasionally has no long-term effects is refuted by research showing this percentage of users develop dependency.
What is "What is 9%? About 1 in 10 marijuana users will develop a dependency, with the rate higher for those who start young."
The myth that people need to hit “rock bottom” before seeking help is debunked by research showing earlier intervention improves recovery outcomes by this percentage.
What is "What is 50%? Early intervention can improve recovery outcomes by as much as 50%."
The myth that only long-term drug use affects your mental health is contradicted by the fact that even short-term use of drugs like marijuana can increase your risk of this condition.
What is "What is anxiety or depression? Even occasional marijuana use can increase the likelihood of anxiety or depression, especially in younger users."
The myth that you can avoid a hangover by doing this before bed after drinking.
What is "What is drinking water? Hydration helps, but hangovers are caused by alcohol’s toxic byproducts, dehydration, and the disruption of sleep patterns."
The percentage of college students who believe regular marijuana use negatively impacts their academic success.
What is "What is 70%? According to surveys, a significant majority of students acknowledge that regular marijuana use can impair academic performance."
The percentage of college athletes who report binge drinking, challenging the notion that athletes drink less.
What is "What is 50%? Half of college athletes report engaging in binge drinking, which is higher than the general student population."
The percentage of people in recovery who relapse at least once, demonstrating that relapse is a common part of the recovery process.
What is "What is 40-60%? Relapse rates for addiction are similar to those for other chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension."
The percentage of students who report feeling peer pressure to drink, highlighting how alcohol use is linked to social dynamics in college.
What is "What is 29%? Nearly 1 in 3 students report experiencing peer pressure to drink, contributing to risky behaviors."