Alcohol & Drugs

Even the “experimental” use of alcohol and drugs can negatively impact a person’s life.

Drinking alcohol is such an accepted part of socializing and relaxing in our society that it’s easy to overlook its potential dangers. The use of other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, LSD, speed, ecstasy and prescription medication, carries significant risks as well. It’s important to remember that even the “experimental” use of alcohol and drugs can negatively impact a person’s life.

Alcohol use can become alcohol abuse which, in turn, can lead to alcohol dependence. People who are dependent on alcohol or drugs may build up tolerance, where they need increasing amounts to feel the same effects. They may spend more and more time obtaining and using them, as well as recovering from their effects.

People who are substance-dependent may find themselves repeatedly unable to quit using substances, even once they recognize that they have a problem. When they do quit, they can go into withdrawal, which – depending on the substance – can be life-threatening and should be treated immediately.

How can you tell whether you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs? Answering the following six questions can help you find out.

Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or had been using alcohol or drugs?
Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
Do you ever use alcohol/drugs while you are by yourself, alone?
Does your family or friends ever tell you that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
Do you ever forget things you do while using alcohol or drugs?
Have you gotten into trouble while you were using alcohol or drugs?
If you answered “yes” to at least two of the above, you could have a problem and going for a professional evaluation is suggested.

Fortunately, there are a variety of effective treatments for substance abuse and dependence, such as counseling and/or medication. If you think that you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, contact your school’s health or counseling service. Because substance use can seriously impair judgment, any concern that a user may be thinking about suicide should be taken seriously; seek help immediately.

Fact or Fiction?

As long as my grades are good, my drinking and/or drug use isn’t a problem.

FICTION: Alcohol and/or drug use doesn’t necessarily have to affect your ability to function academically to be a problem. You should also consider how they impact your health, relationships, overall behavior, as well as the potential to become dependent.

Memory loss is just part of drinking. Everyone blacks out at some time or another.

FICTION: Actually, many people never experience a blackout as a result of alcohol use. During a blackout, you can have sex, drive a car and get into a fight with no memory of it the next day. Blacking out and memory loss are signs that you may have a problem with alcohol.

Drinking can interfere with sex.

FACT: While alcohol can lower sexual inhibition, heavy drinking dulls sensation, numbs nerve endings and hinders a person’s ability to reach orgasm.

You can sober up by drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or making yourself throw up.

FICTION: Alcohol enters your bloodstream very quickly, and once it’s there, only time will reduce its effects on your judgment, coordination and reflexes. For example, it takes 4-5 hours for two drinks to get broken down by your liver and leave your system.

Alcohol affects women and men in different ways.

FACT: Women’s bodies have less water and less of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. So, women get drunk faster than men.

You can’t overdose on alcohol.

FICTION: Drinking too much alcohol can cause you to stop breathing either because of its toxic effects or by causing you to choke on your own vomit.

Alcoholism and/or drug addiction is completely a matter of choice.

FICTION: Research has shown that addiction is a disease that is rooted in brain chemistry.

Understanding Alcohol and Drugs

Alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems.
Each year, alcohol-related accidents kill 1,700 college students, more than all illegal drugs combined.
Each year, 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.
More than 97,000 college students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape every year; in fact, alcohol is the most common “date-rape drug.”
Marijuana can promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system.
A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours.
A recent study found that, between 1993 and 2005, college student abuse of drugs such as Percocet increased over 300 percent, while the abuse of tranquilizers such as Valium was up by over 400 percent.
This same study showed that the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin increased by over 50 percent.
Binge drinking means having five or more drinks on one occasion. Studies show that more than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem developed symptoms, such as binge drinking, by age 19.
Alcohol is a depressant, so if you are depressed before you start drinking, alcohol can make you feel worse.

What to Watch For

Repeated inability to meet obligations
Repeated dangerous behaviors
Repeated legal problems
Repeated interpersonal problems