Understanding Alcohol and Other Drugs
This course explores the nature and consequences of alcohol and drug misuse during the college experience. Beginning with a general introduction to alcohol and drugs, this experience discusses the effects on the body, the physiological impact of misuse, and the risks associated with overdose. Our primary objective is to equip students with the knowledge to recognize early signs of alcohol and substance misuse as well as how to overcome barriers to action using the 5D’s of intervention. By fostering awareness, we aim to empower students to take a proactive role in addressing alcohol and drug dependency within their communities.
Demos + Pricing
Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.
Course Details
Learning Objectives
- Explore healthy strategies for managing stress
- Understand the impact of drugs and alcohol on health, academics, and social life
- Recognize when to seek help and how to ask for it effectively
Specs
- English (US)
- Spanish (US)
- Spanish (European)
- Spanish (Mexican)
- French (Canada)
- French (European)
- Arabic
- Chinese (Simplified Mandarin)
- Chinese (Traditional Mandarin)
- Filipino Tagalog
- German
- Hindi
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese (Brazilian)
- Portuguese (European
- Russian
- Thai
- Vietnamese
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do college students use alcohol and drugs?
College students may turn to alcohol and drugs for various reasons, including peer pressure, curiosity, social expectations, or to cope with stress and anxiety. The transition to college can be overwhelming, and without healthy coping strategies, some students might experiment with substances to escape or fit in with new social groups.
What are the risks of alcohol and drug use in college?
Substance use in college can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including poor academic performance, mental and physical health issues, an increased risk of accidents or injuries, and run-ins with law enforcement. Long-term use may also foster dependency or addiction, affecting students well beyond their college years.
How does alcohol affect academic performance?
Alcohol can impair brain function, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making. It also disrupts sleep quality, which is essential for learning and academic performance. Drinking regularly can result in missed classes, lower grades, and falling behind in coursework.
What are signs of substance misuse in college students?
Common warning signs include drastic changes in behavior or appearance, mood swings, skipping classes, declining grades, secrecy, and withdrawal from friends or activities. If substance use begins to interfere with daily life or responsibilities, it may indicate a deeper problem.
Sample Video Transcript
It may not happen often, but combining alcohol with a drug, even one that you have a prescription for, can be dangerous. Alcohol can amplify the effects of some medications and partly or fully negate the effects of others. Alcohol can even make your medication toxic to your body. So, if Kyle had only been drinking, but not also using prescription drugs, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out so badly. It can probably manage if your body’s dealing with one thing at a time. Wait a sec. Even then, Kyle was drinking a bit too much. He drank before the party and played the drinking game, which encourages drinking a lot quickly. That’s potentially risky behavior on its own. But mixing the alcohol with the drugs took the risk to a much higher level. And that’s especially true when you take medicines that are not prescribed to you, like the study drugs Kyle got from someone else.
