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Drugs
and Alcohol
Drugs
include everything from cigarettes to
marijuana, to beer and grain alcohol,
heroin, as well as extreme amounts of
caffeine. Even if current information
about drugs is accurate, the bulk of
drug research has failed to consider
the many factors that make many drugs
affect women differently than they do
men. Some facts about drug use:
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85%
of college students drink at least
some of the time. |
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In
one study, students with “A” averages
consumed significantly fewer drinks
per week than those students with “D” or “F” averages. |
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35%
of college women say they sometimes
drink alcohol for the express purpose
of getting drunk. |
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9
out of 10 first-time cigarette smokers
and 1 out of 3 of firsttime crack
smokers become addicted. |
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Alcohol
is involved in 90% of campus rapes. |
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Women
tend to use 70% of tranquilizer,
sedative, and stimulant prescriptions. |
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Women
who smoke are twice as likely to
get lung cancer as men who smoke. |
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Women
in college are almost 1/3 more likely
to binge drink (consume 4 or more
drinks in one sitting) than their
peers not in college. |
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Beer
is involved in 80% of fatal alcohol
road accidents. |
Signs
of a drug problem:
When
you can’t control your drug use
or when using drugs becomes the focus
of your time and energy, you have developed
a problem. Below are some additional
sign and symptoms that require attention
and appropriate intervention.
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Drugs
& Alcohol
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An
individual may have a problem when she:
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Seeks
new sources for the drug because
the person who supplied it (bartender,
doctor, friend) refuses to continue
providing it. |
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Exhibits
defensive behavior when drug use
is questioned or mentioned. |
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Is
embarrassed by or afraid of her
behavior when under the influence. |
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Uses
drugs in response to pressure,
anxiety, depression, stress, tension. |
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Takes
drugs more often than recommended
by her doctor. |
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Mixes
different drugs, using one drug
to replace an addiction to another
or to alleviate the negative effects
of another drug. |
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Uses
drugs regularly to aid in sleep
and/or to get going in the morning. |
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Finds
herself in situations that would
not be likely to occur if she were
sober. |
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Feels
bored, tense, or upset when not
using the substance |
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Is
depressed, lethargic, and/or withdrawn. |
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Frequently
borrows money for drugs or has
spent significant amounts of money
on drugs. |
Seek
help when drugs:
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Adversely
affect daily life and personal well-being
(e.g., cause hangovers, memory loss,
blackouts). |
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Cause
problems with or deterioration of communication
with family, friends, professors, and/or
employers. |
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Are
used when one is alone. |
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Cause
changes in mood or behavior, or in
eating, personal hygiene, and/or sleeping
habits. |
Getting
help on campus:
If
you believe you need help with a drug problem
contact the College Health and Counseling Services
at ext. 3476. Medical and counseling services
are provided to you in an expedient and confidential
manner.
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