Alcohol impacts your relationships, whether you’ve noticed it or not. You’re more likely to want to be surrounded by people who feel the same about alcohol that you do. Peer influence can play a role in decisions involving alcohol. Alcohol can lead to many conversations you never anticipated. Some people feel less guarded when they drink, some feel more defensive. When drinking alcohol, it’s important to consider how it affects you personally.

Alcohol can play a big role in family dynamics. Family dynamics around alcohol can look very different. Some students may have been raised where alcohol was easily accessible, while others might not have been raised with alcohol in their lives at all until they came to Tech. Families response to alcohol can be influenced by religion, family history of alcoholism, identities such as class and race, and personal preference. Have you ever talked to your parents or guardians about their expectations around drinking? Open communication will help strengthen your connection.

 When you’re heading out for a night of drinking, make sure you are with a group of people you trust. To learn more, check out our page on healthy relationships.

Alcohol plays a role in many incidents of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Alcohol use is present in 50%-70% of campus sexual assaults and is often used as a tool or a cover by perpetrators (Abbey, 2002). Sexual violence is never a survivor’s fault, no matter if they chose to drink or how much they were drinking. To get support or to discuss how alcohol impacts sexual violence, please get in touch with a VOICE Advocate.