USING B.A.C.ZONE PERSONLIZED BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION CARDS TO REDUCE ALCOHOL USE IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING & EDUCATION
by Luis. G. Manzo, Ph.D. & Karen J. Forbes, Ph.D.
"Step One:  Begin with the premise, “If you CHOOSE to drink, know the FACTS so that you can make SMART decisions for yourself, get what you want from alcohol, and avoid as many of the negative consequences as possible.”  It is helpful to start with an explanation of blood alcohol concentration or BAC."
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PERSONALIZATION MATTERS
Individuals can only use cards that are specific to their weight and gender. Otherwise, results are less accurate. And if your weight fluctuates over time, be sure to get a new card.

PUTTING THE B.A.C.ZONE CARDS TO WORK
Colleges and universities use B.A.C.ZONE cards for individual and group counseling, health fairs, orientation, fraternities and sororities, athletic teams, employee assistance programs and more. The cards are perfect for use with the BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) counseling manual (Dimeff, Baer, Kivlihan, and Marlatt, 1999).

Professionals in health and human services, as well as corporate settings, use the cards for promoting physical and mental health.

Community organizations, law enforcement officials and insurance companies encourage people to make wise choices about alcohol while associating them with risk prevention.

Remember, the objectives are risk prevention and wellness. A healthy individual is more positive and more productive than one who is at risk.

START THE CONVERSATION WITH B.A.C.ZONE CARDS
Use the cards to explain the body's response to alcohol. Once an individual’s BAC is above .06, he or she will no longer experience an increase in the "positive effects" of alcohol within the GREEN ZONE, where pleasure and safety are maximized. There, individuals experience increased arousal, excitement, energy, confidence. Drinking more will not bring more pleasure or better performance. People need sensory awareness and control to sustain performance. When alcohol depletes the body of that control, problems often ensue.