Alcohol & Drugs

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Alcohol & Drugs

LUU want you to enjoy your time at the Union, however, if you are drinking alcohol we want you to know the facts so you can drink (and enjoy yourself) safely.

Recommended Safe Limits

Men = 21 units of alcohol per week (no more than four units in any one day).
Women = 14 units of alcohol per week (no more than three units in any one day).

Units

One unit of alcohol is approximately equal to:

Half a pint of beer, lager or cider (3-4% alcohol by volume)
25ml of spirits (40% alcohol by volume)
50ml of fortified wine, e.g. sherry or port (20% alcohol by volume)

One and a half a units of alcohol is approximately equal to:

125ml if ordinary strength wine (12% alcohol by volume)
35ml of spirits (40% alcohol by volume)

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is a growing problem nationally and can have some serious adverse effects on a person's health. Binge drinking has many definitions, however, based on Government guidelines binge drinking is defined as; ten or more drinks in one session or drinking over half the recommended units for a week in one session.

The effects of binge drinking

Short-term effects of binge drinking:

In the short term binge drinking can affect people in very different ways. Effects can be both positive and negative and can include:

Loss of inhibitions –drinking can be a social aid helping people open up and bond with each other. Some people feel more confident around others when they drink. However loosing inhibitions often encourages people to behave in a way that they would not normally which can lead to embarrassment and sometimes serious regrets.
Feelings of invisibility – people are less likely to consider the consequences of their actions which can lead to them engaging in risky behaviour such as dangerous driving or unprotected sex.
Heightened Emotions– some people feel elated when they are drunk but it can also make people feel depressed or over emotional.
Memory loss, confusion and loss of control – this prevents people from being able to look after themselves. Memory loss can be unnerving and worrying.
Anger and violence - some people are more likely to get involved in fights.
Sickness, vomiting and incontinence - if people drink more than their body can handle this can have a physical impact which may be unpleasant, scary or embarrassing.
Hangovers – some people feel ill the day after drinking. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, dehydration, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, diarrhea and low moods.

Long-term effects of binge drinking:

Cirrhosis of the liver
Increased risk of cancer in oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, rectum and colon and breast
High blood pressure (leading to further risk of ill health)

Extremely heavy drinking

In cases when consumption levels are in excess of 80g (10 units) a day over a long period of time, this can lead to clinical depression which can lead to:

Attempted suicide or suicide
Personality deterioration
Sexual problems
Amnesia
Cognitive dysfunctional (intellectual impairment)
Dementia
Alcoholic hallucinations
Alcohol dependence syndrome

Unit 1421

Check out www.unit1421.co.uk for tips on how to have a safe night out and look after your friends when drinking. You can also read some drunken stories or even submit your own?

Useful Contacts

If you have any concerns about alcohol related problems you can call Nightline on: 0113 3801381 (listening service) or 0113 3801380 (information service), or speak to Alcoholics Anonymous for information about meetings around Leeds. Check out http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ for more information.

Types of drugs and their effects

Drugs affect the brain which in turn affects the mood of the person taking them. There are different types of drugs which affect users in different ways.

Depressants

Depressants depress the activity of the central nervous system calming nerves and muscles and slowing down reactions. They make the user feel calm and relaxed and can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. They can also make the user feel sleepy or drowsy and can have tranquilizing and sedative effects. There are both legal and illegal depressants. Some depressants are prescribed by doctors to help medical and psychological conditions but are also taken by others recreationally.

Depressant drugs include:

Alcohol
Cannabis
Opiates such as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine and methadone.
Sedatives such as valium
Barbiturates
Some solvents and inhalants such as petrol, glue, lighter fluids and paint thinners.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure, dilate the pupils and suppress appetite. They make the user feel more awake and alert. Stimulants can boost self-confidence and positivity although they can also lead to feelings of agitation, anxiety and even delusion. There are both legal and illegal stimulants.

Stimulant drugs include:

Caffeine
Amphetamines (e.g. speed or methamphetamine)
Cocaine
Ecstasy (MDMA)

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens change the user’s perceptions of reality by distorting their impressions of time and space and altering their senses, thought patterns and emotions. Users may experience visual or auditory hallucinations know as ‘trips’. ‘Trips’ can be enjoyable and producing feelings of euphoria, amusement and delight but some users also experience feelings of paranoia or anxiety. A bad trip can be terrifying and last until the effects of the drug wear off which can be as long as 12 hours.

Hallucinogenic drugs include:

Cannabis (may have hallucinogenic effects as well as depressant effects)
LSD (acid, trips)
Magic mushrooms
Mescaline

The Talk to Frank Website has a complete A-Z of drugs and their effects:

http://www.talktofrank.com

There are ways to reduce the potential short-term negative effects of taking recreational drugs such as understanding what it is you are taking, making sure you are with close friends or people you feel comfortable with, sipping water to stay hydrated and not mixing different types of drugs and alcohol. However sometimes it is hard to know how a drug is going to affect you until you have taken it meaning it is hard to be fully prepared for what is going to happen. Some drugs also have long term implications on physical health and can trigger or exacerbate mental health problems such as psychosis in the short term and depression in the long term.

The Legal implications of taking drugs

Illegal drugs are divided into three classes; A, B and C. Penalties for possessing drugs can range from a caution to a fine to life imprisonment depending on what the drug is, the amount you have and whether you intend to supply it to others. Your current criminal record and personal circumstances may also be taken into account. In it’s A -Z of drugs the Talktofrank website gives details of the classification of each drug and the range of possible penalties for possessing and supplying it to others

The University has a zero tolerance policy to illegal drug taking meaning if you are found to be in possession of illegal substances you could be expelled from the University.

Where to go for help

If you think you or a friend have a problem with drugs it is important to talk to somebody about it.

Drugsline is a leading independent charity that specialises in supporting those with drug and alcohol addiction issues, as well as their family and friends. They offer Drugsline a non-judgmental and confidential freephone crisis line that offers support and when necessary, referrals, to anyone concerned about drugs, alcohol or any addiction.

For more information please visit www.drugsline.org.