Back to Topics


Student Health 101 General Health
A Reference Guide to Student Health


Addictions

Smoking

Alcohol Abuse

Gambling Addiction

Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction

Smoking
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. The best reason to quit smoking is it reduces your risk of dying. Smoking causes 1 in 5 deaths in the United States every year. Smoking can affect every organ in your body in an adverse way. The reasons for quitting smoking are endless. Here are a few...

Immediate reasons to stop

  • Bad breath and stained teeth
  • Bad smell in clothes and hair
  • Cough and sore throat
  • Improve the health of those around you
  • Lowers your athletic ability
  • Cost of cigarettes
  • Problems with erections in men
  • Damage to babies of pregnant women

Long-term reasons to stop

  • Reduces risk for many types of cancer
  • Reduces risk for heart disease
  • Avoid serious breathing problems (emphysema)
  • Reduce risk of ulcers and heartburn
  • Reduce wrinkles
  • Reduce risk of gum disease

How do I quit?
Knowing that you need to quit is one thing, but actually quitting can be very difficult. Quitting requires a good deal of preparation and thought. Like many lifestyle changes, you need a good plan. Here is one plan that may work for you.

Before you quit

  1. 1. Set a quit date 1-2 weeks from now.  It takes awhile to plan your quitting.
  2. 2. Gather support from family, friends and co-workers. Let them know that you plan to quit and tell them your quit date. Their support and encouragement can be invaluable.
  3. 3. Talk to your healthcare provider. They will be able to walk through the process with you. They can be a source of information. They may also prescribe medication to help you.
  4. 4. Make a plan for the times you will get urges to smoke. For example chew some gum, drink a glass of water, take a hot bath or go for a walk.

Quit day

  1. 1. On the day you quit get rid of all cigarettes, ashtrays, matches, and lighters.
  2. 2. Most people stop cigarettes “cold turkey.” It is better to not have them around to be tempted.

After you quit

  • 1. Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms. You may feel edgy, and have trouble concentrating. The symptoms are strongest in the first few days, but may last up to 3-4 weeks.
  • 2. Have healthy snacks around you. Part of the addiction of cigarettes is having something in your mouth. When people quit they tend to eat more. Most people will gain a few pounds. Try eating fruits and vegetables and drinking more water.
  • 3. Start an exercise program. This is the perfect opportunity to really impact your health. It can also keep your mind off of smoking.
  • 4. Don’t be discouraged if you fail. Most people quit on average 4 to 5 times in their life before they are ultimately successful. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying!

Back to top

 

Alcohol Abuse
When alcohol begins to consistently cause problems in a person’s life it is termed alcohol abuse. This can include problems with your health, your work, or your family. Alcohol abuse for one person may mean drinking every day and for another it may mean drinking large amounts of alcohol at a specific time (binge drinking). Drinking alcohol for a long time can make a person dependent on alcohol both physically and psychologically. This is termed alcoholism. A person who is dependent on alcohol may suffer serious symptoms such as hallucinations and even seizures if they abruptly stop drinking. Long-term effects of alcohol can include serious damage to your liver, brain, stomach, and heart. It also is a major cause of death due to accidents. The causes of alcoholism are not fully understood. A family history of alcoholism puts a person at higher risk. Men are at slightly higher risk than women are. Some people use alcohol more frequently if they suffer from depression, anxiety or loneliness.

Signs that you may have an alcohol problem

  • Blacking out
  • Drinking in the morning
  • Feeling of guilt about drinking
  • Trembling hands (the shakes)
  • Seizures
  • Trying to hide how much you drink
  • Driving tickets (OUI)
  • Criticism from friends or family
  • Having big personality changes when drinking
  • Poor work performance
  • Planning activities around drinking
  • Insomnia
  • Social withdrawal or change in friends

TREATMENT

  • If you think you have a drinking problem seek professional help. Attempting to go “cold-turkey” can be very dangerous in a person that has alcohol dependence.
  • Commit to quitting.
  • Contact Alcoholics Anonymous™. This is a self-help group dedicated to helping people stop drinking.
  • Ask your family and friends for support.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • If someone loses consciousness after drinking.
  • Call 911 if someone stops using alcohol and has withdrawal symptoms (trembling, seizures)

PREVENTION

  • Be aware of the early signs of possible alcohol abuse.
  • Drink only in moderation. Drink no more than two alcoholic beverages a day and try to limit yourself to less than seven drinks per week.
  • Avoid stress and learn ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression other than drinking alcohol.
  • If you have a strong family history of alcoholism, do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not drink if you are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant as itcan seriously harm your baby.

Back to top

 

Gambling Addiction
Most people enjoy gambling as they would enjoy a game, but for some people it can become an addiction as powerful as any drug. Gambling becomes a problem when it interferes with any major area of life such as work, school, family or financial. The addiction is characterized by preoccupation with gambling, the need to gamble more money more frequently and irritability when gambling is stopped. Problem gambling has been termed the hidden addiction, because there are few outward signs until it is too late. The 2-3% of the population addicted to gambling is at much higher risk for substance abuse disorders, depression and suicide.

Signs that you may have a gambling problem

  • Gambling longer than planned
  • Gambling until your last dollar is gone
  • You have made repeated attempts to stop
  • You have lied to conceal your gambling
  • You have used savings to gamble leaving bills unpaid
  • Broken the law to finance gambling
  • You have lost relationships because of gambling
  • Feeling depressed from gambling losses
  • Returning the day after losing to “get even”

TREATMENT

  • First, like any addiction, you must admit to yourself, and your family that you have a problem.
  • You can join Gamblers Anonymous™, a self-help group for problem gamblers.
  • Contact your healthcare provider. They can work with you during the treatment.

Back to top

 

Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction
Drug abuse includes the use of illegal “street drugs” such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. It also involves the abuse of legal prescription drugs such as painkillers and sedatives. People use and abuse drugs because of the way it makes them feel. Most all drugs of abuse affect the pleasure center of the brain.

Drug addiction is when a person becomes physically or psychologically dependent on a drug. When a person becomes dependent on a drug it can be dangerous to stop the drug suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, shaking, and depression. A person who is addicted will seek the drug at all costs without thinking about consequences of their behavior such as problems with health, money, and relationships.

Tolerance to a drug is when a person needs to use more and more drug over time to feel the same effect.

Common drugs of abuse

  • Nicotine
  • Marijuana
  • Amphetamines and methamphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Opiods (morphine and heroin)
  • Hallucinogens (LSD and PCP)
  • Inhalants (glue)
  • Designer drugs (ecstasy, china white, etc.)

Signs that someone may have a drug problem

  • Major changes in sleeping and eating habits
  • Poor work or school performance
  • Symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Aggressive or abusive behavior
  • Chronic red eyes
  • Social withdrawal
  • Stealing and lying
  • Poor relationships
  • Poor personal hygiene

TREATMENT

  • Commit to quitting. This may be one of the most difficult things you do in your life. Once you decide to quit, develop a plan to make it happen.
  • Ask your physician for help. Withdrawal from certain drugs can be very dangerous to your health. You may need a physician to help with the process and prescribe medications.
  • You will need lots of help. Gain support from family, friends, and your physician. You will need counseling to help with your addiction.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • Seek immediate medical attention if you are someone you know has suddenly stopped a particular drug and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
  • Call 911 if someone around you is using a drug of abuse and becomes unconscious.

PREVENTION

  • Be aware of the possible signs of drug abuse. Intervening early can greatly help in the success rate of quitting.
  • Do not use drugs of abuse during pregnancy as it can cause serious harm to your baby.
  • Avoid drugs of abuse while taking other medications. There can be serious and even deadly interactions between certain drugs.
  • Educate your friends about the consequences of drug abuse.

Back to top