Making connections with others is an important part of the university experience. Drinking alcohol or using other drugs are sometimes seen as a vehicle for socializing*.听It鈥檚 helpful to consider how these might impact the relationships we want to have.听听听 听听听
Alcohol and other drugs modify our moods and our behavior. They can cause some people to feel less inhibited or to respond differently to social cues and situations. If we choose to use them, we鈥檙e going to feel different than we do when we are not under the influence, and we may do things we otherwise wouldn鈥檛 do. Whether it鈥檚 not thinking clearly or acting in ways that may be harmful to ourselves or others, there are sometimes adverse outcomes from substance use. 听
A student shares: Substance use and relationships
Sara**,听a junior here at CU, knows firsthand how substances took a toll on her friendship and how that same friendship helped her to make a change in her life. When she was using alcohol and other drugs, she says, 鈥淚 was really mean there for a couple months . . . My brain wasn鈥檛 functioning well, I wasn鈥檛 eating well, I wasn鈥檛 drinking water, I would snap at others and push them away . . . It wasn鈥檛 me.鈥�
While she was using substances, she was erratic and not being the person she knew herself to be.
Checking in with a friend
Sara鈥檚 friend noticed these behaviors and recognized there might be a bigger problem.
Having her friend reach out helped Sara feel supported in making a change. She now feels healthier and more connected on a path of recovery. 鈥淚t鈥檚 strengthened our relationship to have her听there and supporting me the whole way,鈥� she said.
Reflecting on how substance use impacts us and our relationships is a good way to explore whether there鈥檚 a problem. It can be helpful to think about actions in terms of values鈥攄o our friends鈥� actions align with the person we know they are? Does how we act align with who we want to be? How do we feel after an experience involving alcohol or other drugs? If the answers to these questions suggest that someone is living outside of their values, it might be a sign something needs to be addressed.
It鈥檚 also good to consider how often people may be using substances or if they have difficulty stopping. If someone鈥檚 plans seem to always revolve around using or getting alcohol or other drugs it might be time to explore the free support resources and opportunities for CU students.
Free resources and social options for students
For social opportunities that can help someone to make connections or explore interests that don鈥檛 involve substance use, check out the student organizations with the , the or the .
If you鈥檇 like to talk to someone about helping a friend or yourself with substance use, there are peer mentors, free support meetings and recovery coaches available through the , located in UMC听102. Counselors are also available through in multiple locations for guidance and support.
The Healthy Buffs series is brought to you by Wardenburg Health Services. Visit us online at .
*It is illegal to consume alcohol or marijuana under the age of 21, to use prescription drugs if you are not the prescription-holder, or to use other illegal substances.
**Name changed to protect privacy.
