University presents all forms of tastes, temptations and new experiences. It’s important to make your own informed decisions as to what you try and what you should stay away from. No matter what your choice- it always helps to be aware of the effects of Alcohol and Drugs.
Alcohol Effects
Alcohol can affect your coordination (spilling your drink much?).
Violence and anti-social behaviour. If you’re around someone who is drunk and aggressive, keep your cool and keep your distance.
Liver damage, hallucinations, memory loss and stomach damage.
Mixing; beer and cider, whiskey and Guinness, WKD and lager, it doesn’t matter, don’t mix them – otherwise you’re on a one-way ticket to passing out with your stomach on the floor beside you.
Eat and drink water before your drink, while you drink and after you drink. Eat to absorb alcohol.
Driving, or operating heavy machinery. You’re not as in control, and are more in danger.
Don’t do rounds and drink at your own pace. 90% of the time you end up drunk every time. Know your limits – what’s grand for others may not be grand for you.
Addiction can mask the symptoms of hangovers, making it easier for someone to drink continuously.
Changes in social circle; people who drink a lot may want to hang out with people who also drink as much as they do or more.
Hiding the addiction from loved ones or close friends, thereby encouraging the addiction and isolation.
Emotional issues, or in more serious cases, depression.
Legal issues such as an arrest for public indecency or violence, or loss of job due to drinking on the job. This isn’t great to have on your CV; there’s no shame in that, but it’s definitely something to avoid. Everyone needs work.
Drug Effects
Paranoia, addiction, depression, heart and blood problems, even death.
Feeling more confident, even invincible; falling sleep and passing out.
Feeling moody or anxious, which can cause unnecessary drama with your friends and tension at home.
Mixing drugs is extremely dangerous, no matter your tolerance, and can easily lead to overdose because you’re combining different chemicals.
Addiction causes memory loss, which harms your performance at exams and deadlines.
Further addiction causes lack of interest in hygiene; this will make it harder to meet new people or go on dates!
Abrupt weight changes and sleeping too much can affect your performance at college and in daily life.
Sudden changes in social circle. People who need drugs regularly don’t like being told to stop by their regular friends, and may hang out with fellow drug-takers.
After 21 days, the body becomes dependent on the drug being taken in a routinely manner. People who crave drugs become highly irritable and aggressive.
Financial trouble. Addicts at college will spend more of their budget on drugs instead of on food.
Don’t mix alcohol and drugs. Never.
Not even once. Not even if there’s a fire.