Alcohol
Could your drinking 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 the 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 the questions above or you are concerned about your alcohol use, call CCS at (740) 351-3608. See stories of other people who have struggled with alcoholism and addiction and talk with someone about it. You may gain more self-insight into your alcohol use and alcohol use patterns by taking one of the self-assessments below.
What are blackouts?
Blackouts are a definite sign that your brain can no longer tolerate alcohol. Whether you have only been drinking for one year or twenty years, blackouts can occur after a few too many drinks, whether you appear intoxicated or not.
A blackout is when you appear to be fully conscious while drinking but the next morning you cannot remember any events from the previous night. When memories from the night before are spotty and fragmented sometimes this is referred to as a "brown-out."
Blackouts are not the same as passing out. Passing out is when one loses consciousness due to excessive alcohol use, and in some cases, they can be a precursor to alcohol poisoning.
How can I drink more responsibly?
- If you have a family history of alcoholism or drug abuse, you are much more vulnerable to developing an addiction problem.
- If you have struggled with chronic depression or anxiety, you are more vulnerable to developing a problem with addiction.
- Gender and body weight are critical factors in determining how much an individual can safely drink. Women generally metabolize alcohol more slowly than men.
- Size influences alcohol tolerance.
- For most people, drinking about one drink an hour can be considered to be a good target to maintain safe, low risk levels of consumption. This is the rate at which most people's bodies can metabolize alcohol.
- One drink = 1.5 ounces of liquor, 12 ounces of beer or 5 ounces of wine; these all contain approximately the same amount of alcohol and usually are referred to as a "standard drink."
- Track your drinking while out.
Cannabis/Marijuana
Facts about Cannabis/Marijuana
Common symptoms of long term marijuana use:
- Depressed feelings and lack of motivation.
- Study or work can be affected by the reduction in motivation, concentration, short-term memory and information processing.
- Reduction in attention, concentration, short-term memory, motor performance and impaired perception of time.
- Significant reduction in energy, drive, and motivation can negatively impact functioning in relationships and social settings.
- Increased risk of respiratory diseases, including acute and chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and cancers of the mouth, throat and upper respiratory tract.
- In some vulnerable individuals, a short-term cannabis-induced psychosis can occur, producing confusion, amnesia, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation and elevated mood. This can be extremely dangerous.
Is cannabis addictive?
Frequent users can develop both a physical and psychological dependence. This results in an increased amount of cannabis being used to 'feel normal.' The anxiety, agitation and depression often caused by heavy use of cannabis are managed by increasing the frequency and amount used.
What services does the Bear Care Clinic offer for someone struggling with substance use?
Individual therapy is offered for students struggling with substance use. If you are interested, please call: (740) 355-7102.
Prescription Drug Abuse
General Facts about Prescription Drug Abuse
- Many prescription medications are just as addicting as illicit drugs.
- The abuse of prescription and OTC medications has doubled in the last decade.
- Around 25% of drug-related emergency department admissions are due to the abuse or misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
What types of prescription medications are most prone to abuse?
- Opioids - commonly used to treat pain (e.g., Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percodan, Dilaudid).
- Central nervous system depressants - commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Nembutal, Seconal).
- Stimulants - commonly used to treat sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (e.g., Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta).
Links
Treatment Centers in the Portsmouth area
- Bear Care Clinic: (740) 355-7102
- The Counseling Center (not affiliated with SSU): (740) 354-6685
- HopeSource
- Free Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers in Portsmouth