AOD: Alchol and Other Drugs

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical or mental health care advice.

Why Do Some College Students Drink?

  • some indicate drinking to have fun, to feel more relaxed, care free, to socialize easier, and some drink to fit in and to avoid questions or judgments from some of their peers
  • some drink to - at least temporarily - cope with the many stressors students deal with on day to day basis - including academic, financial, family pressures
  • some drink in attempts to - at least temporarily- decrease uncomfortable feelings such as loneliness, sadness, worry and tension and some drink to deal with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder among others
  • This for some can be related to and/or lead to more serious mental health concerns and dependence

Could your drinking / other substance use be a problem?

  • do you drink or use for a quick pick me up?
  • do you drink/ use because of boredom?
  • do you drink to the point of "brown or black out"?
  • do you drink/ use to fit in?
  • do you sometimes drink more than you intended?
  • when you drink - do you find yourself in situations you later regret?
  • do you sometimes feel guilty about your drinking/ use?
  • do you become angry or agitated when others mention your drinking/ use?
  • do you drink/ use more than you used to - to get same effects?
  • do you find yourself skipping work and classes or putting things off because of drinking/ use or thinking about it?
  • have you been unsuccessful in cutting down?
  • do you ever drink/ use first thing in the morning?
  • do you continue drinking/ use despite negative consequences?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions (you may want to) consider coming to or calling CAPS to find out more.

Help can take many forms. Explore your options.

In a confidential, supportive setting CAPS can help you to explore/ assess your drinking/use and related concerns.

We recognize we all find ourselves at varying stages and situations of life as well as varying levels of concern and readiness for change.
The assistance CAPS offers is tailored to the varying needs and goals you have. CAPS offers assistance to those who are currently unsure about their use, those who have decided to cut down as well as those who are seeking or maintaining sobriety.

CAPS offers a variety of substance use related resources and choices:

  • two 45min confidential sessions of Assessment of Substance Abuse Patterns (ASAP),
  • individual and group counseling
  • referral services, and/or
  • consultation

If you would prefer to utilize other UM resources, the following options may be appropriate for you:

Impact of Alcohol Use/ FACTS and MYTHS

MYTH

  • Drinking hasn't affected my academics, I can't see how it could harm me.

FACT

  • Alcohol is a depressant affecting one's physical and mental health, including mood, memory, energy level and physical/ bodily functions i.e. blood pressure and impact on organs such as liver, pancreas. Chronic use affects brain chemistry, makeup and overall well being defined beyond academic success.

MYTH

  • Everybody drinks (heavily) in college and blacking out is just part of it.

FACT

  • Most UM students drink moderately or not at all. Only a small fraction of students drinks heavily and frequently. However, some of them report drinking/ use as "the same old stuff, with the same old people" becoming boring and they are ready to move on.
    Want to know where you stand?

FACT

  • Blackouts are not a standard part of drinking.

MYTH

  • Sobering up - "drinking black coffee, taking a cold bath or shower, sleeping it off, or walking it off" will help if I or a friend had "1 too many".

FACT

  • None of these strategies work. The only thing that reverses the effects of alcohol is time-something you may not have if you or your friend is suffering from alcohol poisoning.

FACT

  • Rapid binge drinking is especially dangerous because a person can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before realizing the effects of the alcohol consumed, before becoming unconscious.

FACT

  • National data suggests that most college students- including UM students- drink moderately or not at all, while our perceptions may be skewed depending on with whom we surround ourselves.

FACT

  • Many UM students don't drink at all and many drink only occasionally and stay below binge drinking levels (4 standard drinks/sitting).
    Those who drink at higher intensity and frequency are at higher risk for developing alcohol dependence and related mental and physical health issues.

Other common myths about drinking

  • people respect me for how much I drink/ use MYTH!
  • it's expected to drink and drinking makes friends MYTH!
  • as long as grades are not affected drinking is no problem MYTH!
  • the more I drink the more fun I have MYTH! (only to a point...)
  • nothing can happen to me MYTH!
    Alcohol alone is the most commonly used date rape drug, and "90% of all sexual assaults of college students involve alcohol" In addition, "more than half of STDs were transmitted under the influence of alcohol"
  • coffee, cold shower, food helps one to sober up MYTH!
    Caffeine can just make a person more agitated.
  • puking will keep one from alcohol poisoning or hangover in the morning MYTH!
  • sex is better when drunk MYTH!
    While alcohol may make you think/ feel that - the result is usually rather anti-climactic (literally and figuratively)

Know your drink and your BAC

Drinks differ in how much alcohol they contain. Know what a "standard" drink is and keep track of how much alcohol you consume, if you choose to drink.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can continue to rise even while a person is passed out, even after a person stops drinking. The alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.

Helpful Websites
http://www.uhs.umich.edu/bac
http://www.uhs.umich.edu/stayintheblue

While no one sets out to develop an addiction, with alcohol and some drugs the process can be rather subtle and the psychological and physiological processes and changes may go unnoticed at first.

Resources

UM

Ann Arbor Area

  • Westside United Methodist Church provides space for "Young People's Al-Anon" meetings on Friday at 7:30pm
  • Al-Anon/Alateen - for friends and family members of someone who struggles w/ substance abuse and other addictions - (800)344-2466

National Resources

Online Resource Finder

  • Alcoholics Anonymous
    One of many AA meetings has been using space graciously provided by the First Baptist Church (517 E. Washington) at noon
  • Consider list serve like NYU
  • Adult Children of Alcoholic Groups
    www.adultchildren.org
  • Self Help Clearinghouse:
    The National Drug and Alcohol Abuse Referral Hotline - (800) 821-435

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