The Natural High:

 It is possible to get “high” in a healthy way by being with friends, getting outside, having hobbies, volunteering, trying something new, or doing anything you enjoy! 

Young Adults may use substances for a variety of reasons. Youth tell us they use alcohol/drugs to:

• Be like their friends or the “in” group
• Rebel and be different
• Try new things
• Feel better about themselves
• Deal with stress and cope with problems
• Relieve boredom and have “something to do”
• Get drunk/high
• Stimulate creativity
• Satisfy their curiosity
• Relax and have fun

Alcohol

A standard drink contains 13.6 grams of pure alcohol. Things to remember when thinking about a standard drink:

1)   Beer = wine = liquor All will get you drunk at the same rate if you have the same number of standard size drinks of each.

2)  Check the size of your glass.  Many drinks in restaurants and bars come in glasses that hold 2 (or more) standard drinks.

3) Check the percentage of alcohol in the drink you are consuming.  Some beers, coolers and wines have an increased percentage of alcohol and therefore can count for more than one standard drink.

Alcohol in the body

• 95% of alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream.Once in the blood, alcohol reaches the brain within minutes, instantly affecting the central nervous system, mood, balance and other motor skills.
• It takes about one to two hours for an adult liver to break down the alcohol in one standard drink
• Full or empty stomach: Food, water, and fruit juice dilute the alcohol and help to slow its absorption into the bloodstream.
• Body weight and composition: Those who have a higher muscle mass have a higher water content to dilute the alcohol, so the effects of alcohol are less pronounced than in a person with a greater percentage of body fat.
• Sex: Women absorb about a third more alcohol into their blood stream than men as they have less of the metabolizing enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase. As well, they have less blood by volume, so the same amount of alcohol in a smaller amount of blood equals a higher BAC.

Alcohol use affects the following brain functions that affect learning:

• Memory foundation
• Abstract thinking
• Problem solving
• Attention and concentration
• Perceptions of emotion

Four levels of cues that indicate when a person is or is becoming intoxicated:                                   

• Loss of inhibitions
• Poor judgment
• Slowed reactions
• Poor coordination

Other signs or indications of intoxication:

• Physical: Slurred speech, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting
• Mental: Poor judgment, impairment of memory and comprehension
• Emotional: Increased emotions, irrational, or unstable
• Behavioral: Participation in dangerous activities, inappropriate language

Signs that indicate fatal alcohol intoxication (poisoning):

• Unconscious; the person cannot be woken
• Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
• Breathing really slow and/or irregularly
• Vomiting while passed out and not waking up after vomiting
• seizures

What you should do if you suspect alcohol poisoning: 

• Try to wake up the person
• Put the person in the recovery position, on their side. This is also known as the BACCHUS Maneuvre
• Do not leave them

• Immediately call for emergency medical help (it’s better to be safe than sorry)

Myths

Eating will sober someone up.

Not True. Food will only slow down the absorption of alcohol, but it will not help someone to sober up. Since the liver can only process about one to two standard drinks of alcohol per hour, time is the only thing that works.

Getting really drunk is no big deal.

Not true. Drinking too much, too fast can put someone at risk for possible injury and alcohol poisoning

Tips on How to Drink Responsibly

Punitive laws surrounding drinking and driving:

The most severe penalties are aimed at drinking and driving. If you are convicted of impaired driving, you end up with a criminal record.

First conviction: Immediate License Suspension for 90 days- one year.

Second conviction: License suspension for three years

Third conviction: License suspension for life which may be reduced to 10 years

Fourth conviction: License suspension for life with no possibility of ever having an Ontario driver’s license again.

A few tips on how to party smart and have responsible drinking behaviour:

• Wait one hour between alcoholic drinks
• Have non-alcoholic beverages and food
• Have one person in your group who does not drink
• Stay together in a group – arrive and leave together
• Set a limit for the # of drinks and stick to it
• Avoid drinking games.
• Avoid drinking energy drinks and alcohol
• Always watch the bartender make your mixed drink
• Have a plan for the night BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Energy Drinks and Alcohol

• combining alcohol with caffeine drinks (energy drinks) is becoming popular
• however mixing energy drinks and alcohol can be dangerous as people may underestimate how drunk they are

Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LRDG):

The LRDGs were developed for healthy adults to help them to weigh the risks associated with drinking.

The Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines are for people of legal drinking age. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 years.

0 Zero drinks = lowest risk of an alcohol-related problem

2 No more than 2 standard drinks on any one day

9 Women: up to 9 standard drinks a week

14 Men: up to 14 standard drinks a week

**All illegal drugs are manufactured without any health or safety considerations.  Therefore the potency of the drugs will vary from batch to batch and also, hazardous chemicals (e.g. rat poison, cleaning fluids) could be used in the manufacturing of these drugs.

Ecstasy

• What is it: A stimulant and hallucinogen. Usually found in a pill or powder form.
• What it does: Induces confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, dehydration and increases energy.
• Adverse effects: Include fainting, chills, nausea, blurred vision, high health rate, long term heart and kidney failure, and brain damage.

Rohypnol

• What is it: CNS depressant, odorless, tasteless, colourless pill.
• What it does: Induces euphoria, sedation and intoxication.
• Adverse effects: loss of muscle control, amnesia, and hypnosis.

Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate

• What is it: CNS depressant, odorless, colourless, salty/soapy taste in liquid, tablet, or powder form.
• What it does: Induces euphoria, sedation and intoxication.
• Effects: Coma, seizures, nausea, difficulty breathing. Withdrawal includes insomnia, anxiety and tremors.

Ketamine

• What is it: CNS depressant, odorless, colourless, tasteless, liquid, powder or pill.
• What it does: Induces dream like states, hallucinogens, distorted perceptions of sight and sound.
• Adverse effects: Loss of coordination, judgment problems, respiratory depression, coma, and heart irregularities.

Marijuana

• What is it: A plant smoked or eaten. Has a psychoactive mind altering affect.
• What it does: Relaxation, decreased inhibitions, distorts perception and senses, causes paranoia and mild hallucinations.
• Effects: Increased appetite, dry mouth, red eyes, drowsiness, irritability, sleep problems.
• The law: First time conviction- six months jail sentence, $1000 fine, criminal record.

Methamphetaminee

• What is it: An intense stimulant with disinhibitory properties. Can be used in many forms.
• What it does: Induces paranoia, psychosis, depression, aggression, compulsive behaviour, and hallucinations.
• Adverse effects: Can cause addiction, anxiety, stroke, convulsions, insomnia, and heart problems.

Cocaine

• What is it: A white powder that is snorted. When turned into a solid stone it is call crack and it is smoked. Acts as a powerful stimulant.
• What it does: Triggers paranoia, causes bizarre repetitive movements, and increases energy levels.
• Adverse effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, seizures, and addiction.

Effects of any drug depend on a number of things:

1. Your age and body weight
2. How much you take and how often you take it
3. How long you have been taking it
4. The method you use to take the drug
5. The environment you are in
6. Any pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions
7. If you have taken alcohol or other drugs (illegal or over the counter or herbal)

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How to remain safe when you go out: