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CCSU Counseling and
Wellness Center |
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Alcohol and Sex "Unwanted risks" Many people go right away to the physical risks- contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection, being infected with the AIDS virus- or the chance of getting pregnant. All these risks are certainly real. But there are other risks that aren't usually talked about. Sometimes the "unwanted" has to do with emotional consequences. For some people there is a sense of regret about breaking your own sexual boundaries as in "It's not like me...". Sometimes it's regret at rushing a relationship too fast- where people who were attracted to each other and working toward perhaps a solid relationship had too much to drink, acted on those feelings and now feel awkward and uncomfortable around each other- sometimes putting an end to the relationship. Misperceptions about sex. When asked in the National College Health Assessment to take a guess at how many college students had intercourse in the lat 30 days- the perception was that 96% of students did. The reality is that about half report being sexually active, with the other half saying they did not have intercourse in the last month. Additionally, 74% said that in the last year they had had either zero or one sexual partner. When asked how many students had either one or not sexual partners in the last year, the perception was that number was only 18%! Protective factors. 96% of students surveyed choose one or more protective factors if they are sexually active: some choose abstinence, some choose to be less active, are in a monogamous relationship, know partner's STD/HIV status, use a condom or barrier every time they have intercourse. Additionally, most college students are sober. 9 out of 10 students surveyed believed that sex was better if they were sober. Of those students who said their last sexual experience was satisfying, 86% said that during their last sexual experience neither they or their partner had been drinking. |
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