Drugs

If I just try it once it’s no big deal, right? Wrong! Drugs impact your brain, which is the center of all of your body’s activity. Drugs are chemicals that affects how your brain communicates, and how the neurons in your brain send and receive information.

Some drugs, such as heroin and marijuana, have similar chemical structures to neurotransmitters in your brain and can mimic these transmitters. These pseudo-transmitters light up your reward system (limbic system) making the brain say “I want to do that again so I feel good again.” That’s where addiction comes into play.

Drugs are not the answer to everything. There are plenty of ways to make sure your mind is in great shape so that you’re feeling your absolute best.

Reduce Stress

• Avoid unnecessary stress! Say “no” to the things you cannot handle, and work towards prioritizing by taking a time management class or using a planner.
• Get physical! Exercise releases positive endorphins, so you will be feeling less stressed in no time! Start the day out with a 30-minute workout to ease stress.
• Study smart! If you have a big test, take breaks. Study for 45 minutes, and break for 15 minutes to improve. Study the hard stuff first, and the easy stuff last! Additionally, get rid of distractions, such as your phone or Facebook, to be as effective as possible.

Get Enough Sleep!

• Cool it on the coffee. Avoid caffeine within 5 hours of bed time and you’ll get to sleep much easier.
• Unplug! Overstimulation can make it hard to sleep, and the light from the phone keeps you awake as well. Turn it off at least an hour before bed to sleep soundly!

Leave Medicine to the Professionals

• Visit your Student Health Center! If you are experiencing pain, visit your doctor. If they can’t help, they’ll find someone who can!
• Dispose of old medications. Don’t keep them around “just in case” of a flare up. Once you’re healed, dispose of any left over medications (properly!)

Resources

Do you know someone who is struggling with drug abuse? There is help available!

SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services
205-348-2727

Collegiate Recovery Community
12-step Recovery Programs are available!

Sharing is Dealing!

Not only is sharing prescription drugs illegal, but it’s dangerous for you and the user! If you are prescribed a prescription drug, do not share it or sell it to any of your friends.

For example, a friend wants to buy one of your prescribed Adderalls for test so they can “focus”. But do you know your friend’s history of substance use or if they have a family history of substance use? Additionally, do you know exactly how the drug is going to affect your friend’s body? Are they allergic to any of the components of it, or do they know if they are? Is your friend really just going to study, or are they going to go out and drink? Do they know the dangers of mixing alcohol and prescription pills? What if this “one time” turns into another time, and another time?

Additionally, you can’t forget the legal consequences. If your friend is caught using or holding a prescription that isn’t prescribed to them, that is a felony, which could result in fines, probation, and/or jail time.

Sharing or selling drugs is the same as dealing, and will be treated as a felony. If you are caught selling or sharing, this could result in hefty fines, probation time, and/or jail time. Additionally, once you are a registered felon, you are no longer allowed to exercise the right to vote, and it goes on your record forever. Additionally, what if something happens to your friend? What if they have a bad reaction to the drug? Is it worth it? The answer is no.