Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

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 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

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)

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 

1. Raise the arm that is closest to you above their head. Prepare to roll them towards you. 
2. Gently roll them toward you, guarding their head from hitting the floor. The head should rest in front of the arm, not on it. 
3. 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. 
4. 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. 

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.