Drugs | Self Care
A lot of self-care comes down to being and staying healthy. A lot of stressors in life can lead us to making unhealthy decisions, which can impact our wellbeing. As important as it is to check in regularly with you GP, it is also important to make sure you are aware of the ways in which you can stay well and healthy.
Addictions are becoming prevalent amongst students as they are most vulnerable in their time at university. Alcohol and drug consumption can start as something recreational and social, however can turn into something which you become reliant upon, particularly in stressful situations. This can be extremely unhealthy both for your mind and body. Notice the signs of when something becomes unhealthy, and how to get help when you need it.
Notice the signs: Alcohol Poisoning
If you think either yourself or a friend has been alcohol poisoned, it’s important to know and recognise the signs so that you can act and take the necessary steps to get help.
- Confusion
- Loss of Coordination
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Pale skin (or blue tinged)
- Low body temperature
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Unresponsive
- Unconsciousness
Where seeing your friend drunk may be funny initially, it is important to make sure they are safe. If they present any of these signs, it is important to get help as soon as possible.
Whilst getting help for your friend if you suspect they have been alcohol poisoned, make sure you do the following:
- Keep them awake and sitting up
- Give them water
- Keep them warm
- Lay them on their side (recovery position) if they are unconscious
- Check their breathing to see if they are breathing properly
- Stay with them and monitor their symptoms
Don’t...
- Leave them to sleep it off
- Give them coffee
- Make them sick
- Walk them around
- Put them under a cold shower
- Let them drink any more alcohol
If you can’t access help where you are, call 999 for an ambulance. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Drugs
Drugs aren’t safe. They affect your body in many ways and can incapacitate you. The best method of harm reduction is not taking drugs at all, however we know drug use still happens, so we’d rather let you know how to keep yourself and friends safe if you know you or your friends have taken drugs.
Safety in Numbers – Tell your friends if you’ve taken something. This way, if you need help, your friends can keep an eye on you and get you help if you need it.
- . Hydration – Some drugs, such as MDMA and Ecstasy can raise your body temperature and dehydrate you. Make sure you take breaks and sip water regularly to stop you from overheating.
- Help – No matter where you are, if you need help, it is important to ask for it. Drugs are illegal; however your safety comes first, and services are there to safeguard and protect you.
- Don’t Mix – Drugs can affect people in many different ways. You never know for sure what substances you are putting in your body and the reaction they will have. Never mix alcohol and drugs together as you don’t know the affect this will have in and on your body.
- Small Amounts – To prevent even more harm, if you are going to take drugs, it is better to only take a small amount. You can always take more if you need to, but you can’t take less.
- There’s no such thing as a safe drug – even if your friends provide you with drugs, supplying drugs is illegal. Not even they know what they are supplying and what is in it. Even legal highs are dangerous, as the substances in them have most likely not been tested.
Gambling
Gambling, although it may at first be a bit of fun, can lead to an addiction. An important tip to keep gambling fun is to only bet what you can afford to lose. Learning your limits is extremely important as once you start gambling, especially if you are in financial difficulty, it can be difficult to stop. Once you win, gambling can seem a very attractive way of gaining money quickly, however it is important to be aware that you can lose money as quickly, if not faster than you may win it. Know your limits and know when it stops being fun.