Health and Behavioral Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use

The negative physical and mental effects of the use of alcohol and other drugs are well documented. Use of these drugs may cause: blackouts, poisoning, overdose and death; physical and psychological dependence; damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and liver; inability to learn and remember information; and psychological problems including depression, psychosis, and severe anxiety. Risks associated with specific drugs are described later in this section.

Impaired judgment and coordination resulting from the use of alcohol and other drugs are associated with acquaintance assault and rape; DUI/DWI arrests; hazing; falls, drowning and other injuries; contracting sexually-transmitted infections including AIDS; and unwanted or unplanned sexual experiences and pregnancy.

The substance misuse of family members and friends may also be of concern to individuals. Patterns of risk-taking behavior and dependency not only interfere in the lives of those misusing, but can also have a negative impact on the affected students’ academic work, emotional wellbeing and adjustment to college life.

Alcohol misuse is a progressive disorder in which physical dependency can develop. Even low doses of alcohol impair brain function, judgment, alertness, coordination and reflexes. Very high doses cause suppression of respiration and death. Chronic alcohol misuse can produce dementia, sexual impotence, cirrhosis of the liver, and heart disease; and sudden withdrawal can produce severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and life-threatening convulsions.

Negative Consequences from Drinking Alcohol

• hangovers
• academic problems – missed classes, getting behind in school work
• arguing with friends
• engaging in unwanted and/or unprotected sexual activity
• weight gain-the “Freshman 15” isn’t all due to campus dining!
• getting injured / assaulted / sexually assaulted
• damaging property or having your property damaged
• requiring treatment for alcohol poisoning
• trouble on campus or with police
• being insulted or humiliated
• having your study or sleep interrupted
• developing tolerance, dependence or addiction
• death from alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related injury

Neuroscience research shows that alcohol impairs the formation of new memories and learning, especially in the developing brain – and as college-aged students, your brains are still developing. Alcohol use can cause both short term and long-term problems for those who choose to use it. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant whose effects depend on how much you drink. These effects may range from loss of inhibition with only one drink to making someone “stumbling drunk” to acute alcohol poisoning with loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing. Acute alcohol poisoning usually occurs in situations of rapid alcohol intake such as shots, funneling, keg stands and drinking games. Even after someone passes out their BAC (blood alcohol concentration) can continue to rise from the alcohol still in their stomach. Medical attention is critical to prevent serious injury or death.

Women are affected by alcohol to a greater degree than men. They become more impaired than men when drinking the same amount of alcohol due to their higher percentage of body fat – alcohol is water soluble, so there is a greater concentration of alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream after drinking. Because women tend to be smaller than men, alcohol is less diluted upon reaching the brain than in larger individuals. Women also become intoxicated more easily 1-3 days before their menstrual periods. Finally, women absorb more alcohol into their bloodstreams because they lack the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in their stomach, which in men breaks down some alcohol before it is absorbed.

Alcohol is addictive and regular use can lead to dependence and addiction/alcoholism, even in college-age students. People with a family history of substance abuse are 4 - 10 x more likely than the general population to develop substance misuse and addiction in their lifetime and tend to do so at an earlier age. People who begin drinking before age 15 are 5x more likely to develop substance abuse issues in their lifetime, as well. Some warning signs of dependence are: more frequent use; needing more and more to get the same effect (tolerance); spending time thinking about and planning for alcohol use; spending more money than you have on it; missing class or failing to finish assignments because of alcohol use; continuing to drink despite repeated negative consequences; making new friends who drink a lot and neglecting old friends who don’t; finding it’s hard to be happy without regular alcohol use, etc. Warning signs of addiction include all the above and physical withdrawal symptoms after a drinking episode such as anxiety, tremors, sleep disturbances, hallucinations and seizures.

Tips for Taking Care of an Intoxicated Person

• Get help from Lindley Health or Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital. Seeking medical attention for alcohol related problems will not result in notification of parents or the University administration except in emergency situations. These are Safe Havens and will not result in judicial sanctions for intoxication.
• The nurse on duty at Lindley Health can give you advice 24/7 (540-458-8401).
• Stay with the person or call a RA or another individual to stay with the person-never leave an intoxicated friend alone.
• Turn person on their side and do not give them coffee, ibuprofen, aspirin, or put them in a shower. If the person is not vomiting, give them water to drink.
• HOW TO SPOT DANGER – If they have passed out, don’t leave them alone. If they are taking fewer than 8 breaths per minute or if there is more than 10 seconds between breaths they are in danger of respiratory failure. Their skin may be pale and ashen in color and clammy to the touch. The base of the fingernails and the lips may look bluish because the person is not getting enough oxygen. If you can’t rouse the person with a pinch or a shake the situation is serious. If you see someone drinking straight out of a liquor bottle or playing drinking games the person should be watched closely because the effects can come on quickly. GET HELP!

Alcohol energy drinks and fortified malt beverages are of particular concern because of the higher alcohol content when compared to beer (9% to 12% vs. 5%). In November 2010, the FDA and FTC took action saying that caffeine is not a safe additive in alcoholic beverages. New products have been marketed such as alco-pops, supersized malt beverage cans, and alcohol energy drinks containing guarana and ginseng. Mixing alcohol with energy drinks such as Red Bull are just as dangerous. Studies show that people who consume these beverages have a higher BAC and a higher rate of injury and other negative consequences than people who drink alcoholic beverages without stimulants. The bottom line is that these drinks are not safe and often lead to higher rates and levels of intoxication. The sweet taste covers the taste of alcohol, giving the false impression one can drink more without the intoxicating effects. BE CAREFUL, or better yet, avoid them.

Use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription drugs can have social, academic, psychological, physical, financial and legal consequences. Combining drugs and/or using them with alcohol can be extremely dangerous.