Alcohol & Other Drugs

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) 

Blood alcohol content (BAC), also known as a blood alcohol level, is the amount of alcohol in your blood.

Tell me more about BAC!

BAC is calculated in grams per 100 mL of blood, meaning a BAC of 0.08 is 0.08% alcohol by volume. The legal driving limit depends on the state, so make sure you are aware of the local laws! 

Blood Alcohol Level by State

What impacts BAC?

Body mass index, speed of consumption, type of alcohol, type of mixers, food consumption, sickness, or medications like antidepressants or hormone therapies can all affect your BAC! Calculations are based on sex assigned at birth and corresponding hormone levels, so it may not be a helpful tool if you are prescribed hormone therapies or do not identify with your sex assigned at birth. It is always a good idea to ask your doctor about how alcohol might affect you, since everyone can react differently!

This is a great resource to learn more about factors that affect BAC levels: BAC Factors

Body cues are a great way to estimate BAC levels without relying on the calculations! Body cues include:

body cues that reflect BAC levels

 

Find my BAC cards

Click below for a PDF of your BAC Card!

BAC Cards

  Female Male
100-120 lbs click here click here
120-140 lbs click here click here
140-160 lbs click here click here
160-180 lbs click here click here

180-200 lbs

click here click here
200-220 lbs click here click here
220-240 lbs click here click here
240-260 lbs click here click here
 

 

Online Calculators 

The Virtual Bar

 

Drink Size Calculator

 

BAC Calculator

Sober Curiosity  

Sober curious is a lifestyle of practising none or limited alcohol consumption. Sober curious can be for anyone, and it can be fun to find alternative drinks and activities around DC! 

On Campus 

Join us for a late-night tabling event! GW Late Night is a series of evening and weekend events, providing space for students to have fun and socialize, explore new interests, and take a break from academics without the temptation or risks involved with drinking alcohol or being in an environment where alcohol is present. 

More info about Late Night

Off Campus

Booze Free in DC - find activities, food, and drinks in DC that are booze free! 

Booze Free in DC

Binge Bar is DC's first non-alcoholic bar! Check out their link tree below to find the drink menu, activities, and other helpful resources. 

Binge Bar

 

Other Resources 

The Joys of Sobriety writes about how sobriety can be fulfilling while making you feel more in control of your journey. Click the link below to read articles about sober life! 

The Joys of Sobriety

More into podcasts than articles? Listen to Tom Holland’s convo about his sobriety journey and how it impacts his mental health. This could be a great listen on the metro after a long day of classes!

Tom Holland's Career and Sobriety

Want to hear about what it is like to be sober curious as a GW student? Read Raegan’s blog post about her reasons she chose a sober life and how you can help your sober curious friends!

Sober Thoughts - Reflections from a 22-year-old

Recovery Resources

The Office of Health Promotion & Education is dedicated to helping students in their recovery journey. Whether you are curious about sober living or are committed to it, the resources below can help anyone on their journey to recovery. For any question, concerns, or comments, please email us at [email protected]!

 

Recovery Clubhouses Near Campus 

A clubhouse is a community-based location designed to support people in recovery!

Dupont Circle Club (DCC)

The Dupont Circle Club (DCC) first opened its doors in November of 1989. Today they provide space for over 90 recovery meetings each week and host eighteen different 12-step fellowships. These meetings bring hundreds of people a week into the rooms of the DCC. The DCC is honored to be part of the recovery community and we exist to help support all those who seek recovery to become more happy, joyous, and free.

Dupont Circle Club

The Westside Club 

The Westside Club offers a number of services for the recovery community. Books, meetings, special recovery related events, snacks, coffee and fellowship are found here 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

The Westside Club

Triangle Club 

The Triangle Club officially opened its doors on January 1, 1990. Since then, the Triangle Club, supported by membership dues, meeting rent and individual donations, has provided a safe, well-maintained facility where members of the LGBT community can hold meetings and gather in fellowship.

Triangle Club

Recovery Meetings in the DMV Area

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings help people attempting to quit drinking and provides a group setting for support, advice, comradery, and active listening. Click below to find a meeting closest to you!

AA Meetings in DC

AA Meetings in Arlington

AA Meetings in ALexandria

 

AA Meetings in Bethesda

 

AA Meetings in Chevy Chase

 

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) helps connect recovering or active drug users on their journey to sobriety. NA meetings are similar to AA meetings and can act as a welcoming environment, free of judgment, to speak of each other's experience. Click below to find a meeting closest to you!

NA Meetings in DC

 

NA Meetings in Northern Virginia Area

 

NA Meetings in Central Maryland Area

 

Marijuana Anonymous (MA) is a peer-supported group focuses on recovery from a marijuana or cannabis addiction. Click below to find out more about marijuana addictions and where to find a support group near you! 

Marijuana Anonymous

 

Substance Use Disorder Services  

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) has a network of community providers treating substance use disorders (SUD). SUD is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person's ability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Click below to see resources in the area to treat SUD!


DC.gov image

"The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) certifies a network of community-based providers to provide substance use disorder (SUD) services including detoxification, residential and outpatient services based on  individual need.  DBH also provides a range of prevention and recovery services. Many adults with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness. DBH supports integrated care with screening, diagnosis and treatment for both mental and substance use disorders to treat the whole person for the best health outcomes."

DC Department of Behavioral Health 
Substance Use Disorder Services

 

SMART Recovery DC

SMART Recovery is a fresh approach to addiction recovery. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. This is more than an acronym: it is a transformative method of moving from addictive substances and negative behaviors to a life of positive self-regard and willingness to change.

Browse Meetings

 Harm Reductions Resources

Harm reductions refers to the prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion activities that empower individuals who use drugs to live their healthiest and happiest lives! 

Naloxone (NARCAN) in DC

DC Department of Behavioral Health supplies and mails free naloxone to individuals in DC. No prescription or identification is needed to receive your naloxone! Click below to learn more about naloxone and how you can get access to the life saving medication!

Where Can I Get Naloxone in DC?

Fentanyl Testing Strips

Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, in unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills. The Alexandria department of health has free testing strips! Click for more info: 

Fentanyl Testing Strips