General Facts
What does dependence mean?
Someone who is dependent on a substance considers that drug to be the most important thing in their life. The definition of addiction is continued use despite negative consequences. If you are dependent on a substance you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using.
What are two short-term risks for alcohol use?
Injuries, Violence, Alcohol Poisoning, Risky Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Unintented Pregnancy.
What is Zero Tolerance?
Someone under the age of 21 cannot consume any alcohol and operate a motor vehicle. If you are pulled over and you blow a .02, you are in violation of the zero balance. Zero tolerance is a BAC of .02-.055. Anything above this BAC would result in a higher criminal conviction. Talk about why BAC is .02, not .00 - certain religions allow for wine in ceremonies, some food is cooked with alcohol (beer battered fish), and there is also a .01 margin of error on the breathalyzer. Setting the BAC at .02 eliminates the number of unfair stops.
Myth vs Fact: Bread, coffee, water and/or a cold shower can sober you up after a night of drinking?
Myth- the only thing that sobers a person up is time. It takes the body about an hour per standard drink to metabolize alcohol through the liver. There is nothing that can be done to "speed up" or increase the metabolism. If you have 2 long island iced teas- about 6 standard shots per drink- how long is it going to be before you are sober?
How many drinks can your body metabolize in 1 hour?
1. This is the only thing that can sober you up and process the alcohol ou tof your system. Talk about some of the myths people use to sober up (coffee, cold shower, eating, slap to the fact, etc.). Make sure to discuss serving sizes - just because it's in one container doesn't mean that it's just one drink.
Can mixing alcohol and marijuana be deadly?
Yes, when an individual consumes too much alcohol, the body's reaction is to throw up to expel the alcohol. Marijuana has the ability to stunt the gag reflex so they can keep down food. If the body can't get rid of the alcohol, it will continue to enter the system and lead to further alcohol poisoning and possible death.
What are two mental effects that can result from marijuana use?
Temporary Hallucinations, Temporary Paranoia, Worsening Symptoms in Patients with Schizophrenia, Relaxes Inhibitions, More Vivid Senses (taste, sight, smell, hearing), Lack of Concentration, etc.
On average, how long after using marijuana, can it be detected on a standard drug test?
One month. Depending on a number of factors: the amount used, body type, body weight, metabolism, fluid intake, etc. Some advanced methods can detect marijuana use for up to a year. They use hair samples for this test and can use a hair from anywhere on the body. It's also important to know that if a police officer pulls you over and suspects that you're driving under the influence, this can cause a positive result on a drug test even if you were not smoking that day. This can result in a DUI-drugs charge.
Myth vs Fact: You can die from using, Spice or K2?
Fact...synthetic marijuana or spice is marketed as the same thing as marijuana but a legal version that can pass a drug test. Unfortunately, spice contains many poisonous chemicals that are not tested on humans. It is sold as incense and legal in some places but every bag is different and not for human consumption. it is plant matter sprayed with poison that has caused many deaths and emergency room visits due to extreme psychosis. Other negative reactions include rapid heart rate, extreme anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, vomiting, suicidal thoughts, and violent behavior (good opportunity for discussion). Ask if anyone in there knows someone that has had a negative reaction to spice or K2.
What are the active chemicals in marijuana that result in psychoactive and medical uses?
Psychoactive: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Medicinal: CBD (cannabidiol)
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
New York State law that protects anyone under the influence who is seeking lifesaving help for themselves or someone else due to a drug, alcohol or other life-threatening emergencies from being arrested and prosecuted.
What are three long-term risks for alcohol use?
Heart Disease, Stroke, Liver Disease, Dementia, Depression/Anxiety, Family Problems, Unemployment, Academic Problems.
What is the penalty for having an open container of alcohol in a public place?
Up to 15 days in jail and $150 fine, plus community service. Make sure to talk about any charges having the possibility to interfere with federal financial aid. Also, if students want to transfer, it is possible that charges can show up on their record and background checks.
Myth vs Fact: Alcohol warms the body?
Myth...Alcohol opens up the pores of the skin, allowing perspiration to increase, which lowers body temperature and cools the body.
What is the measurement of one standard drink in beer, wine, and liquor? (The answer needs to be in volume and alcohol content)
Beer: 12oz at 5%
Wine: 5oz at 13%
Liquor: 1oz at 50%, 1.5oz at 40%
What is another name for synthetic marijuana?
Spice, K2, Fake Weed - Spice refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana (cannabis) and that are marketed as "safe", legal alternatives to that drug. These products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. "Spice" products do contain dried plant material, but chemical analyses show that their active ingredients are synthetic (or designer) cannabinoid compounds - and labeled "not for human consumption". There are over 700 street names for Synthetic Weed.
When smoking a "joint", approximately what temperature is the smoke when it reaches your lungs in Fahrenheit?
A) 75 B) 150
C) 250 D) 450
C) Around 250 degrees Fahrenheit...This burns your lungs and makes them swell and inflame. This causes scarring and damage to the lungs.
What percentage of college student sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use?
A) 34% B) 50%
C) 67% D) 85%
B) on average, at least 50% of college students' sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use.
Myth vs Fact: Your friend drinks too much and you decide to put them into a closet and let them sleep it off. If your friend dies, you can be charged with manslaughter because you knew that they needed help and you chose not to call.
Fact: This calls under the NYS Good Samaritan Law- if you or someone else needs life-saving help due to a drug or alcohol overdose, or other life threatening situation, you will not get in trouble if you are using drugs or drinking underage. If you know that they needed help and you choose to not call you could face a manslaughter charge. ex- Penn State Timothy Piazza frat hazing case.
What are two drugs that are used to lace marijuana?
Fentanyl, Carfentanyl, LSD, Cocaine, Meth, PCP, Ketamine, Lead or other heavy metals. Unless you grew it yourself, you don't know what is in any drug you're getting. you don't know how your body is going to react to the added chemicals mixed with the marijuana. What does your drug dealer really care about, you or the money?
How many IQ points can a chronic marijuana user lose if they start smoking in their early teens?
6-8 points. Recent research has shown that people with persistent marijuana use disorder who began using marijuana heavily as teens permanently lost an average of 6-8 points by mid-adulthood. To put this in perspective, you are looking at about a 10-12 point grade decrease on a test or homework.
What are the dangers of mixing alcohol with a stimulant (ex: 4Loko)?
The stimulant in the energy drink masks the effects of the alcohol. Most likely you will not feel the effects of the alcohol until you are a few drinks in (and pretty messed up at that point). Also, both substances are fighting for control over your body (stimulants speed up functions...depressants slow them down). This "fight" causes a large amount of pressure on the heart. The formula for 4Loko had to be changed because it contained so much energy drink, sugar, and alcohol. Young people were having heart attacks upon consumption. Regular 4Lokos have the equivalent of four standard drinks. Gold cans can have up to six.
Name three options that you have to avoid drinking and driving?
Call a cab, Go out with a designated driver, call a friend for a ride who was not at the party, Take a bus, Uber, Lyft, Call a sober family member.
Myth or Fact: If someone has a high tolerance to alcohol, their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) will not be as high when they are drinking?
Myth...Just because someone has a higher tolerance to alcohol does not mean that their BAC will be lower. Tolerance is scary because outwardly, they are not showing signs that they are intoxicated but they could have a high BAC.
Name 4 factors that influence intoxication?
Rate of Consumption, Amount Consumed, Age, Gender, Body Weight and Type, Food Consumption, Medication and Other Drugs, Environment and Mood, Fatigue and Stress, and Tolerance to Alcohol.