Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

The University of North Georgia expects all students to follow all applicable laws and policies regarding alcohol and other drug use. At the same time, we recognize that some students will drink or use other substances despite this expectation. The only truly safe use is no use, but for those who do use, we believe it is important to know how to minimize the risk of harm to self and others from drinking or drug use.

Decisions about substance use are personal. It’s your right and responsibility to make decisions for yourself. How often and how much you drink or use other drugs is your own personal choice. Therefore, it is important to make informed choices and understand potential consequences if you choose to engage in these activities.

Alcohol

What Is A Standard Drink?

In the United States, a standard drink is about 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol. The body can metabolize about one drink per hour. A drink equals one 12 oz. beer, one 5 oz. glass of wine, or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquor.

a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer 5% alcohol, 5 ounces of wine 12% alcohol, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits 40% alcohol 80 proof e.g., vodka, whiskey, gin, rum

Download the UNG Student Counseling alcohol information handout. (PDF)

Understanding Blood Alcohol Content

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the concentration of alcohol in the blood and is typically expressed as a percentage. For example, a BAC of 0.10% means there is one part alcohol for every 1,000 parts blood.

Several factors can influence an individual’s BAC; including, but not limited to:

Amount of alcohol consumed
Duration/Speed of consumption
Physiological differences between biological-males and biological-females

Body type/weight
If food is present in the stomach
If other medications are present in the body

Calculate Your Blood Alcohol Content

Blood Alcohol Content Levels and Effects

Blood Alcohol Content	Levels and Effects
0.02% - 0.03%	Slight euphoria; mildly relaxed; some lightheadedness
0.04% - 0.06%	Lowered inhibitions; minor impairment of reasoning and memory
0.07% - 0.09%	Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing; judgement is reduced; reasoning and memory are impaired, unable to accurately judge abilities
0.10% - 1.25%	Significant impairment and lack of physical control; blurred vision and major loss of balance, judgement and perception are severely impaired
0.16% - 0.19%	Vomiting my occur
0.20%	Disoriented; may need help to stand/walk; blackouts are likely
0.25%	Mental, physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired; increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit
0.30%	Stupor; little comprehension of surroundings
0.35%	Coma is possible
0.40% and up	Possible death due to respiratory arrest

A BAC below 0.05 enables a drinker to feel the positive effects of alcohol without minimizing their judgment or increasing their risk of negative outcomes.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Cannabis

The Effects of Cabbanis

The active chemical in cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. Cannabis can be categorized as a depressant, a hallucinogen, or a stimulant. As a result, it is difficult to detect how one will react after using. When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, they generally feel the effects after 30 minutes to one hour.

Cannabis Use Can Affect:

Concentration
Short and long term memory
Ability to learn
Sleep (interrupts REM for several days after use)

Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
Altered sense of time
Changes in mood
Impaired memory

Impaired body movement
Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)

Delusions (when taken in high doses)
Psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)

Marijuana also affects brain development. When people begin using marijuana as teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. New research suggests that marijuana's effects can last up to three days.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Prescription Drugs

	Examples	Method of Action	Potential Effects of Misuse
Stimulants	Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Dexedrine, medications prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Energy drinks are also categorized as stimulants because they contain substances that are intended to produce the effects of a stimulant.	Increases alertness, attention and energy, elevates blood pressure, increases heart rate and respiration	Repeated use over a short period of time can lead to feelings of hostility and/or paranoia High doses can result in dangerously high body temperature and irregular heartbeat Can become dependent If using chronically, can experience withdrawal symptoms including fatigue, depression, and disrupted sleeping patterns when you stop using
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants	Valium and Xanax. Sometimes referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers. Used for treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders	Slow down the brain’s activity. Produces a drowsy or calming feeling.	Can experience withdrawals and physical dependence if use is reduced or abruptly stopped If an individual stops using after continued use, brain activity can race out of control, potentially leading to seizures and other harmful effects Combining CNS depressants and alcohol can affect heart rhythm, cause slow respiration and can lead to death
Opioids	Codeine, Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet. Prescription narcotics prescribed for post-surgical pain relief and management of acute and chronic pain.	Attach to receptors in the brain that block the perception of pain	Can produce drowsiness and cause severe respiratory depression Can experience euphoric effects from use. This is intensified for individuals who abuse opioids Misuse can lead to dependence and addiction Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

The misuse of prescription drugs includes:

Using higher doses or more frequently than prescribed
Taking medication prescribed to someone else
Alternating the delivery of the medication (e.g. crushing and snorting)
Using a prescription medication to get high

Tobacco and Other Nicotine Products

Tobacco and Other Nicotine Delivery Products

You Can Quit!

Nicotine is not the only concern and risk. E-cigarette liquid contains the chemical propylene glycol which is also found in antifreeze. Other combinations of chemicals are also present in tobacco, e-cigarettes and smokeless products that can lead to bronchitis, heart disease, and cancer.

There's Help!

Tobacco Free

betobaccofree.hhs.gov

This Is Quitting

Text DITCHJUUL to 88709

Tobacco Products
There are many known health risks clearly linked to tobacco use. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and 69 of them are known carcinogens – substances that can cause cancer in living tissues.

Smoking cigarettes harms almost every organ in our bodies. Known health risks of smoking and tobacco use include:

Heart disease

Stroke

Lung cancer, emphysema and bronchitis

Type 2 diabetes

Many other forms of cancer

One of every three deaths by cancer in the U.S. could be prevented by quitting smoking. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of more than 480,000 deaths each year in the U.S. It is also reported to be the cause of more preventable deaths than those attributed to HIV, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, motor vehicle accidents and firearms combined.

Learn more about how cigarettes affect the body. (YouTube video)

Smokeless Tobacco Products
Smokeless doesn’t mean it’s safe. According to reports by the American Cancer Society, "chew" (sometimes called "dip") causes many forms of cancer. Chew users are exposed to as many as 30 carcinogenic chemicals.

Health Risks Include:

Cancer of the mouth, tongue, cheek and gums, esophagus and pancreas

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Increased risk of stroke.

There are huge rewards for quitting, including a decrease in risk of developing oral cancers, instances of receding gum line, gingivitis, and pre-cancerous lesions of the mouth.

Vaping
E-Cigarettes do not just release vapor. This vapor contains nicotine, metals, and toxins found in second-hand smoke. While e-cigarettes do contain fewer chemicals than cigarettes, they still contain some of the same chemicals, such as formaldehyde.

Vaping liquids and aerosols can contain greater levels of metals than cigarettes.

Harmful Ingredients Include:

Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled into the lungs.

Flavorants such as diacetyl, which is linked to serious lung disease.

Volatile organic compounds.

Heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Brain development occurs throughout early life into adolescence, to about age 25.

Nicotine exposure, including use or passive smoking, can lead to addiction or can affect brain development.

Learn more about how vaping works. (YouTube video)

Withdrawal
Withdrawal is a term that refers to discomfort, distress, and intense cravings for a substance that occur when one stops using. Withdrawal symptoms may occur during the first few days after quitting:

Light headed or dizziness

Increased coughing

Depressed feelings

Shaky and anxious feelings

Trouble sleeping

Trouble concentrating

These symptoms will lessen in intensity by the end of your first week, and will eventually fade away altogether. Nicotine is not the only concern and risk. E-cigarette liquid contains the chemical propylene glycol which is also found in antifreeze. Other combinations of chemicals are also present in tobacco, e-cigarettes and smokeless products that can lead to bronchitis, heart disease, and cancer.

Harm Reduction Strategies & Resources

Remember That Nighthawks Flock Together!
Help reduce the harm associated with high-risk drinking that you or your peers may experience by following these tips:

When You Are Going Out:

Travel with a group of friends, keep track of your friends and don’t leave anyone behind.

Come up with a secret code with your friends that signals if one of you needs help.

Know where you are going and have a plan to get home safely.

Store emergency numbers in your phone, and use the LiveSafe app to use the Safe Walk feature or to report suspicious activity, people fighting or other emergencies.

Many UNG Students Do Not Drink, but if You Choose to Drink:

Know your drinking limits and stop drinking when you need to.

Remember to pace yourself. Adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more.

Eat filling foods that have fats and protein and stay hydrated by alternating with non-alcoholic drinks to avoid consuming too much alcohol.

Avoid drinks from large, open containers, as well as mixing alcohol with other substance use.
Remember that sober is always safest!

Anytime and Always:

Respect everyone. Remember, not everyone drinks, and a sexy outfit is not an invitation for sex.

Set clear boundaries, and respect the boundaries of others.

If you witness a creepy situation or someone being aggressive, create a distraction to separate the people involved, ask someone else to step in or call for help.

Recognize the signs of an alcohol emergency and call 911 for help if you or a friend is experiencing even one sign. Remember, Amnesty is available.

High Risk vs. Low Risk Drinking
High Risk Drinking

Chugging

Drinking out of punch bowls, troughs, hoses or funnels

Drinking to get drunk

Driving after drinking or riding with someone who is under the influence of alcohol and other drugs

Drinking too much too fast

Not knowing what is in your glass

Mixing alcohol with medications or illegal drugs

Drinking because you feel your social group wants you to drink

Drinking Games

Low Risk Drinking

Keep track of how much you drink by counting "standard drinks"

Set a drinking limit near or below a BAC of .05

Use a buddy system and have a plan in mind before attending an event

Avoid using alcohol with any prescription or stimulant drugs

Space your drinks over time

Never leave drinks unattended

Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Eat before and while you are drinking

Be cautious when drinking liquor or mixed drinks due to their potency

Mix and measure your own drinks

Signs of Alcohol Overdose
Severe intoxication or poisoning may lead to symptoms of overdose which indicate that there is so much alcohol in a person’s bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions are at risk of shutting down.

Symptoms of alcohol overdose include:

Mental confusion and stupor

Difficulty remaining conscious, or inability to wake up

Vomiting

Seizure

Slowed breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)

Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)

Clammy skin or paleness

Slow heart rate

Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)

Low body temperature (may be indicated by chills or shivers)

Unresponsive (unconscious)

Responding to Alcohol Overdose
If someone passes out from drinking too much, you can help by positioning them so they will not choke on their vomit. The Recovery Position helps a semiconscious or unconscious person breathe and permits fluids to drain from the nose and throat so they are not breathed in. If the person is unconscious or semiconscious, move the person into the recovery position while waiting for help to arrive.

If you are worried about them, or if they are exhibiting any of the signs of alcohol overdose get medical attention immediately, especially if they are unresponsive.

The Recovery Position

Raise the arm that is closest to you above their head. Prepare to roll them towards you.

Gently roll them toward you, guarding their head from hitting the floor. The head should rest in front of the arm, not on it.

Tilt the head up to maintain the airway. Tuck their nearest hand under the cheek to help maintain head tilt and raise the face off the floor.

Check on them and monitor their symptoms until help arrives.

Remember, an alcohol overdose is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. It is important to call for help right away if you see any of these signs of alcohol overdose and call 911 or the UNG Police Department at 706-864-1500. Don’t wait. Minutes can be critical.

UNG Amnesty Policy
A student who acts responsibly by notifying the appropriate authorities (e.g., calling 911, alerting a resident assistant, contacting police) AND meets one or more of the following criteria typically will not face University conduct action for his or her own use or possession of alcohol or drugs.

Student seeking medical attention for himself/herself, or for a friend in a possible case of alcohol poisoning or drug overdose.

Student wants to report an incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct to University officials and the incident occurred while the Student was using alcohol or drugs.

UNG Amnesty Policy

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Alcohol

Alcohol

What Is A Standard Drink?

Understanding Blood Alcohol Content

Cannabis

Cannabis

The Effects of Cabbanis

Cannabis Use Can Affect:

Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drugs

The misuse of prescription drugs includes:

Tobacco and Other Nicotine Products

Tobacco and Other Nicotine Delivery Products

You Can Quit!

There's Help!

Tobacco Free

This Is Quitting

Become an Ex

Tobacco 21

quitSTART App

Quit Vaping App

Truth Initiative

Harm Reduction Strategies & Resources

When You Are Going Out:

Many UNG Students Do Not Drink, but if You Choose to Drink:

Anytime and Always:

High Risk Drinking

Low Risk Drinking

Symptoms of alcohol overdose include:

The Recovery Position