Myth vs Facts
True or False: If someone can walk and talk normally after drinking, they aren't impaired.
False. Someone can look fine while still having slower reactions and worse judgment.
True or False: If someone is unconscious from drinking, you should let them sleep it off.
False. Being difficult or impossible to wake can be a sign of an emergency.
Your friend says, “Everyone else is doing it. Why aren't you?” What is this an example of?
Peer Pressure.
True or False: Someone can have a substance problem even if they only use substances on weekends.
True. How often someone uses isn't the only thing that matters; consequences and how it affects their life matter too.
Someone offers you a pill at a party but won't tell you exactly what it is. What should you do?
DO NOT TAKE IT.You don't know what is actually in it or how strong it is.
True or False: Eating food can slow down how quickly alcohol enters your bloodstream, but it won't make you sober.
True.
Your friend is very drunk and keeps throwing up, but says they're fine. What should you be watching for that would mean they need emergency help?
Trouble waking up, slow or weird breathing, seizures, confusion, or becoming unconscious.
True or False: You need a good reason when you say no to drinking or using a substance.
False. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
You have an exam at 8 a.m. and stay out drinking until 2 a.m. Name two ways this could affect your exam besides having a hangover.
Less sleep, worse memory, trouble focusing, slower thinking, or worse decision-making.
Your friend has been drinking and says, “I'm fine to drive. I only live five minutes away.” What would you say?
Don't drive. Being close to home doesn't make impaired driving safe.
True or False: A blackout and passing out are the same thing.
False. During a blackout, someone can still be awake but not remember what happened later.
Why is putting a very drunk person in a cold shower NOT a good way to help them?
It doesn't make them sober and could cause them to fall, get hurt, or become dangerously cold.
You say no to a drink three times, but your friend keeps offering it and saying, “Come on, just one.” Is this still peer pressure? Why?
Yes. Repeatedly trying to change someone's decision is still pressure, even if they aren't forcing you.
Your roommate starts missing class and assignments because they're using substances more often. Why is this a bigger concern than simply knowing they use substances?
Their use is starting to interfere with school and their responsibilities.
Your roommate comes home very drunk, throws up once, and falls asleep. You can wake them up easily. What should you do?
Stay aware of their condition and keep checking on them. If they become difficult to wake, have trouble breathing, repeatedly vomit, or show other serious symptoms, get emergency help.
Someone drinks alcohol and then has an energy drink because they feel tired. They say, “Now I’m less drunk.” What's wrong with that?
Caffeine can make them feel more awake, but it doesn't make them less drunk or lower their BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration.)
Your friend drank a lot and took a pill that wasn't prescribed to them. They become very sleepy and hard to wake. Why is this more serious than just being drunk?
Mixing substances can have dangerous effects, and being hard to wake can be a sign of an overdose or other emergency.
Your friend says, “If you were actually my friend, you'd do this with me.” What's wrong with this argument?
They're using your friendship to make you feel guilty and pressure you into doing something you don't want to do.
A student says, “I only use on weekends, so there's no way it can affect my life.” Give one reason this isn't always true.
Even occasional use can cause problems depending on how much they're using, what they're using, what happens while using, or whether it leads to missed responsibilities or unsafe situations.
Someone takes an unknown substance at a party and starts acting confused and extremely sick. Their friends want to give them another substance to “cancel it out.” Why is that a bad idea?
Adding another substance could make things worse or cause a dangerous reaction. They need medical help instead.
Two people drink the same number of drinks, but one gets much more drunk. Name two reasons this could happen.
Things like body size, how quickly they drank, whether they ate, medications, other substances, or individual tolerance can make a difference.
You find someone unconscious at a party. Their friends say, “Don't call for help—we'll get in trouble.” What should you do, and why?
Get emergency medical help right away. Their safety is more important than worrying about getting in trouble, and their condition could get worse quickly.
You're at a party with your friends. Everyone starts drinking, but you don't want to. You also don't want to leave. Name two things you could do to stick to your choice.
You could tell your friends clearly you're not drinking, stay with someone who supports your choice, get a non-alcoholic drink, change activities, or leave if the pressure continues.
Your friend says they want to cut back on their substance use. They've tried several times but keep going back to it, and their grades are getting worse. Why might this be a sign that they need more support?
They're having trouble cutting back and are continuing even though it's causing problems, which can be a sign that they need additional support.