71% of Amherst College Students Drink 0-4 Drinks When They Party

Some Other Amherst College Statistics from the National College Health Assessment (2019)
  • 20% of Amherst students identify themselves
    as non-drinkers.
  • 50% of Amherst students do not use cannabis.
  • 73% of Amherst students do not smoke
    cigarettes.
  • 70% of Amherst students report 1 or fewer
    sexual partners.

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Signs Of Alcohol/Drug Misuse

Here are some signs that somebody may be misusing alcohol or drugs. Although people often take them lightly, these signs tell us something serious is happening with a person and that substances may be interfering with a person's daily activities. These signs may also be indicative of a potential chemical dependency. If you see someone you care about or yourself in any of these descriptions, speak up and encourage them to seek help.

1
Driving under the influence - even if it is just "now and then"
2
Blackouts - even if it is just "now and then"
3
Passing out - even if it is just "now and then"
4
 Relationships:
  • Conflicts with friends or family while you are under the influence, or anytime about your use
  • Remarks, concern and confusion from people about your use
  • Hurting or losing people close to you because of the use of alcohol or other drugs
5
Use-related incidents
6

Neglecting academics or work:

  • Missing work, classes, deadlines or tests because of hangovers
  • Use before or instead of classes
  • Use of before, instead of, or on the job
  • Impaired job or class performance, chronic absence
7
Trouble with the authorities
8

Doing things under the influence that you would not otherwise do:

  • Feeling disgust, regret and / or humiliation
  • Embarrassment
9
Frequently using alone or at inappropriate times
10
Defensiveness about and denial of use
11
Protecting your supply, sneaking use; and loss of ability to predict and control when and how much you will use.

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How To Talk to a Friend about Substance Use

About two-thirds of adult Americans know someone who struggles with their relationship with alcohol. Helping a friend involves acting as a "mirror", helping them to "see" their behavior by reflecting it back to them.

1
 Remind them that you care.

Start the conversation by reminding them that you are addressing your concerns because you care about them as a person. Try saying something like, "I wanted to talk to you because I'm worried about you" or "our friendship means a lot to me, and I don't like seeing what has been happening." Don't forget to set boundaries for yourself because taking care of yourself matters too.
2

Use concrete examples.

Describe the situation and the behavior you want to address and explain the impact it has had on you.

 

Example: "Last weekend you tried to go home with someone you barely know, I was scared something bad could have happened to you."
3

Talk about your own feelings.

 

Avoid criticisms, judgements, or generalizations because it may lead to defensiveness and arguments. Saying things like "Everyone think you have a problem" will likely lead to arguments and defensiveness. Instead, use "I" statements to communicate your feelings and observations. It's hard for someone to dispute your personal feelings and observations.
4

Talk about sober behavior versus intoxicated behavior.

Discuss the sober behavior you like and how that compares to their behavior you dislike when they are intoxicated.

 

Example: "You have a great sense of humor, but when you drink it turns into cruel sarcasm. It's not funny, it's hurtful."
5

Separate the person from their behavior.

 

Highlight the difference between the person when they are sober and their behavior when they are under the influence of a substance.

 

Example: "I think you're a great person, but the more you smoke, the less you seem to care about anything, including your friends and your academics."
6

Openly discuss the unwanted consequences of substance use.

 

Address the negative consequences that your friend has experienced because of their substance use. Make sure the examples are specific and concrete.

 

Example: "At the party, we had to leave to help you get back to your room because you were throwing up. The next day you were too hungover to help us with the group project. It worries me to see how alcohol is impacting so much."
7

Other Tips

  • Learn about alcohol and other drugs before talking to your friend. There are a lot of great on-campus and community resources.
  • Know the specific issues you want to address and keep the conversation focused on those issues.
  • Practice your conversation.
  • Choose a private location where you can talk without interruption or embarrassment.
  • Talk to your friend when you are both sober. The sooner you can talk to your friend after a concerning event/episode, the better.
  • Know what resources are available for your friend and be prepared to give them to your friend.

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Drug/Alcohol Combinations & Their Effects

1
 Depressants, Narcotics and Alcohol

When used alone, alcohol causes a reduction in the function of the central nervous system. Use of depressants and narcotics with alcohol causes additional depression, which can cause severe impairment of voluntary movements and in large enough doses, involuntary functions such as breathing.
2
 Stimulants and Alcohol

Because the stimulant effect of this class of drugs may reverse the depression effect of alcohol on the central nervous system, these drugs may give a false sense of security. The alcohol will continue to exert its depressant effect on the brain. It can mask high levels of alcohol consumption, which may be lethal to the individual.
3

Marijuana and Alcohol

When used in combination with alcohol, marijuana amplifies the effect of alcohol. Marijuana combined with alcohol creates greater impairment of coordination and reaction time. In addition, the body will experience a racing up and down of heart rate and blood pressure because marijuana causes an increase and alcohol a decrease. Panic attacks are more likely to occur with the combination of these drugs.
4
 Hallucinogens and Alcohol

Most hallucinogens act initially as stimulants and can produce elevation in body temperature, heart rate and respiration; pupil dilation and appetite depression. The depressant effects of alcohol will cause a racing up and down effect in the body. In addition, there is an increased likelihood that vomiting will occur, since nausea is common with both alcohol and hallucinogen consumption. In addition, the reality distortion caused by hallucinogens is amplified with the use of alcohol.
5

Inhalants and Alcohol

Inhalants and alcohol both have depressive effects. Combining substances in these two will heighten the depression of the central nervous system; potentially lethal.

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