Information for Students

Tips for cutting down on drinking

• Keep track of how much you drink Find a way to track that works for you. Consider transferring paperclips or some light object from one pocket to the other pocket to keep a tally of how many drinks you consume while you are drinking.
• Counting and Measuring Know standard drink sizes and alcohol content of type of drinks (beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.) so you can know how much alcohol you consume.
• Setting Goals Decide before drinking how days a week, how many drinks per day and per hour that you want to consume.
• Pace and Space Pace yourself when drinking. Sip slowly. Drink no more than one drink per hour. Alternate with non-alcoholic "drink spacers" (juice, soda, water, etc.).
• Eat before drinking
• Avoid "triggers" "Response" or "Trigger" drinking when faced with a stressor, person, or place is hard to stop. The easiest way is to avoid the trigger. If home is a place where problem drinking happens, don't keep alcohol at home.

Party Planning

UCO Policy does not permit nor condone alcohol use on campus or within its campus organizations. However, if you are of legal drinking age, attend parties where alcohol may be served, and choose to drink, we have provided some helpful tips and strategies to assist you in not over doing it*.

• Never drink or use when you are sad, upset, or anxious
• Set limits before you drink (no more than 3 drinks)
• Leave at a predetermined time
• Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with "drink spacers" - drinks like water, soda, or juice
• Avoid drinking games
• Avoid hard liquor or shots
• Put extra ice in your drink
• Drink slowly versus gulping or chugging
• Have friend let you know when you have had enough
• Use a designated driver

* From collegedrinkingprevention.gov

Personal View of Drugs: Facts about Marijuana

Marijuana's mind-altering effects come from its active ingredient, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which effects parts of our brains that form memories.

• Much is unknown about the hundreds of chemicals that are ingested when marijuana is consumed.
• Some people use to relieve anxiety, but then they can't function without it. They become "addicted" because they have developed dependence.
• Some users lose their drive to reach their goals.
• Some users experience acute anxiety, and severe psychotic symptoms
• Marijuana inhibits short-term memory and visual perceptions, making studying less effective and learning more difficult
• The ability to judge distance is distorted, making driving dangerous
• Long-term, habitual use of marijuana has been linked to depression and some forms of cancer

• * From NIH Publication no. 396, ODMHSAS Publication no. 219