Wellness and Health Promotion

Learn the trends!

• 67.3% of students reported alcohol use in the past 30 days
• 52.7% of alcohol users reported binge drinking in the past two weeks
• 39.5% of all students reported binge drinking in the past two weeks
• 72.6% of students who reported alcohol or drug use, experienced a consequence due to their alcohol or drug use

What are the signs of alcohol overdose?

• Vomiting
• Hard to wake up or passed out
• Irregular or slow breathing
  • Less than 12 breaths per minute or more than 10 seconds in between breaths
• Blue lips or nail beds, cold clammy skin
• Shivering or low body temperature
• Confusion or disorientation

What do you do if someone has alcohol poisoning?

• Call for help immediately (419.530.2600 or 911 if off campus)
• Turn the person on their side
• Monitor breathing
• Never leave a person alone

*If you are concerned about a friend suffering from alcohol overdose, The University of Toledo passed a medical amnesty law which means we encourage students to make responsible decisions and to seek medical attention in life threatening situations that result from alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Did you know that The University of Toledo has been a tobacco free campus since August 2014 (Click Here for Details)?  Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States.  Smoking elicits harmful effects to not only the individual who smokes, but to every individual exposed to the smoke.  A majority of University of Toledo students do not use tobacco.  86.7% of students reported to have not used tobacco in the past 30 days.

Health Effects of Using Tobacco Products 

• Increased risk for coronary heart disease by 2-4 times
• Increased risk for stroke by 2-4 times
• Risk for men developing lung cancer by 25 times
• Risk for women developing lung cancer by 25.7 times
• Increased risk for lung diseases, such as COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• Increased risk for all cancers

Benefits of Smoking Cessation 

• After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop
• 12 hours later, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal
• In 2-12 weeks, your circulation improves and lung function increases
• About 1-9 months later, coughing and shortness of breath being to decrease
• After 1 year of smoking cessation, your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
• 10 years later, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
• 15 years of smoking cessation decreases risk of coronary heart disease to a non-smoker

If you decide to host:

• Only serve alcohol to those of ages 21 or over
• Make sure there are several designated drivers
• Water and food are essential in balancing alcoholic beverages, supply both for guests
• Respect your neighbors
• Clean up

Harm Reduction Strategies:

• Eat before and during drinking
• Drink water in between alcoholic beverages
• Set a limit and track your drinks
• Understand BAC and your own limits
• Never leave your drink unattended at a party/bar
• Do NOT mix alcohol and drugs together
• Pace yourself: Consume no more than one drink per hour

How are you getting home?

• Uber, Lyft, or local taxi service
• Leave your car home when you are going out
• Have a designated driver
• Stay at a friend’s house
• Walk home

Drugs and Alcohol Don’t Mix

Mixing alcohol and drugs can be extremely dangerous.  There can be numerous harmful, unwanted effects which students and the University of Toledo community should be aware of.

• Depressants – Mixing depressants, such as Xanax or Valium, can cause rapid dizziness, stumbling, loss of sphincter control, memory loss and potential death.

• Stimulants – Combining stimulants, such as Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta, with alcohol can result in over-consumption.  The effect stimulants exert on the body conceal alcohol’s effects, so the individual cannot accurately perceive their level of intoxication.  This often results in over-consumption which can lead to blacking out, passing out and even death.

• Prescription Opiates – Consuming alcohol in combination with prescription opiates (such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet) can result in slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, unconsciousness, coma and potential death.

• Marijuana – Mixing marijuana with alcohol can lead to vomiting, spins, paranoia, decreased motor control and mental concentration.  Marijuana also depresses your gag reflex, which can be fatal if you need to expel alcohol and are unable to.

• Amphetamines – Amphetamines elicit an increase in blood pressure and heart rate when consumed.  Consuming alcohol in conjunction with amphetamines is dangerous as the individual is more likely to consume more alcohol, as the drug stimulates the individual.  This combination is also extremely harmful to your kidneys.

Illegal Drug Use Data

• 18.4% of UT students reported marijuana use in the past 30 days
• 21.6% of UT students reported any illicit drug use in the past 30 days, including illicit prescription drug use
• The most frequently reported illicit drugs used in the past 30 days:
• Marijuana, 18.4%
• Stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall), 3.4%
• Amphetamines (diet pills, speed), 2.4%

Alternative Statements

• Did you know that a majority of UT students abstain from utilizing any illicit drugs?  It’s true!
• 81.6% of students abstained from using marijuana in the past 30 days.
• 78.4% of student did not utilize any illicit drugs in the past 30 days, including illicit prescription drug use.

It can be frustrating when personal and/or work related problems surface and it’s unclear where to turn for help. When complications arise from stress, marital and family issues, parenting challenges, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other emotional concerns, it’s comforting to have someone to talk to.

The University of Toledo is proud to make available to you the IMPACT Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential support for you and your household members, dependents living away from home, and parents & parents-in-law. For more information please click here.