Know the Signs
6 Signs of Substance Use That May Be Affecting Your Life
Alcohol Poisoning
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (usually less than eight breaths a minute)
- Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
- Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Unconsciousness
All of these symptoms do not have to present before you seek help. A person who is unconscious is at risk of dying.
When to see a doctor?
- If the person is unconscious, uncontrolled vomiting, and breathing less than eight times a minutes, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Information taken from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-poisoning/ds00861/dsection=symptoms
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Alcohol Abuse
- You hurt yourself or someone else when you are drinking.
- You drink in risky situations, such as before or while driving a car.
- Low or no attendance at school or school because of drinking.
- You suffer from blackouts; you can't remember what happened while you were drinking.
- You have faced legal problems because of your drinking. For example: being arrested due to alcohol.
- Your friends and family are worried about your drinking habits.
- You feel guilty after drinking.
- You make excuses for your drinking or do things to hide your drinking.
Information taken from: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/alcohol-abuse-and-dependence-symptoms
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Drug Abuse
- Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly - this can range from daily to several times a day.
- Failed attempts at stop using the drug
- Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
- Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing.
- Energy displacement - focusing more time and energy on getting and using the drug.
- Problems in school - frequently missing classes, sudden disinterest in school and/or school activities, or a drop in grades.
- Physical health issues - lack of energy and motivation.
- Spending money - request for money without a reasonable explanation.
Information taken from: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/alcohol-abuse-and-dependence-symptoms
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Driving Impaired
- Straddling lanes
- Almost striking and object or another vehicle
- Taking extremely wide turns
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Driving on the shoulder
- Driving without headlights
- Narrowly missing another car or object by passing too closely
- Signaling inconsistently with what they are doing.
- Stop in inappropriate places such as green lights and crosswalks with no pedestrians.
What to do?
- Stay far behind the suspected impaired driver
- Get out of the way and expect the unexpected
- Wear your safety belt and make sure passengers are wearing their safety belts as well.
- Call 911 to report the suspected impaired driver. Give the location, direction, and description of the driver.
Information taken from: http://www.old-colony.com/howto.htm
Where to get help?
- Alcohol and Drug Programs - CLC 220 - (864) 503-5536
- Jules Auerbach, Coordinator of Alcohol and Drug Programs
- Counseling Services - CLC 224 - (864) 503-5195
- Francis Jarrett-Hortis, Director of Counseling Services
- University Public Safety - 800 University Way - (864) 503-5911
- Klay Peterson, Director of Public Safety & Chief of Police
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Blackout/Unconsciousness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Inability to speak or move parts of his or her body
- Light-headedness
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Drowsiness
What NOT to do:
- Do not leave an unconscious person alone
- Do not give an unconscious persona any food or drink
- Do not place a pillow under the head of an unconscious person
- Do not slap an unconscious person's face or splash water on the face to try to revive him or her.
Information taken from: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/injury/unconsciousness-first-aid/overview.html
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Consent to Sex/ Date Rape
- Using physical or verbal threats, emotional blackmail, or alcohol and drugs to force or trick you into having sex.
- It's just not sexual intercourse - it can be oral sex or some other kind of sex.
- While it's mostly women who are raped, guys can be victims of date rape too.
- Not stopping when the other party wants to stop, with words, actions, or both are rape. If he/she seems hesitant do not try to convince him/her to give, just stop!
Information taken from: http://www.aboutdaterape.nsw.gov.au/whatis/whatis.html
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