Blog: The highs and the lows

My name is Alex and I’m an English and Creative Writing graduate. In this blog post, I’m going to look at drug use at universities, how to keep yourself safe and make informed choices, and the support available at UoB and more widely.

University is the first time most of us have been away from our parents, and it can be a time of excitement and exploration, including with substances like alcohol and drugs. When it comes to drugs, there are a multitude of reasons students might find themselves encouraged to try using them – your friends might be doing them, you might feel stressed, or you might be using ‘study drugs’ to help with concentration.

Whatever your reasons, I should start off by saying that in the UK, it’s illegal to consume, produce, supply, or possess most recreational drugs and psychoactive substances. When it comes to ‘study drugs’, the sale and use of these drugs without a prescription is also illegal in the UK.

Despite knowing this, some students may still take them while at uni. I believe it’s impossible to eradicate drug use entirely and it’s best that there’s easy access to accurate information so everyone can make an informed choice and reduce any possible harm. I also believe universities should aim to create a non-judgmental atmosphere surrounding support for drug abuse. In some places, moving from a zero-tolerance to harm reduction approach has been beneficial to students and the wider community.

If you have any concerns or questions on drug use, then there are many excellent resources available, and we have a fantastic amount of wellbeing support available to us at UoB. Keep reading this blog to find out more about this.

Making informed choices

• Firstly, a reminder that the use of drugs is illegal, and could land you in serious trouble if you’re caught with them, especially if you intend on sharing them with your friends.
• There’s absolutely no pressure on you to use drugs. Don’t feel pressured or pushed into using them because your friends are. Most young people actually don’t take drugs, and you can still have a good time without taking any substances including alcohol. Friends should understand if you say no but if they insist on you taking drugs, then you may want to think about whether it’s time to find a new group to hang around with. Remove yourself from any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable as soon as you can.
• There’s no only safe way to take drugs other than not to take them at all. Despite what you may be told, there’s no way of knowing what’s actually in the substance you have, even by using a reagent testing kit (kits that can detect the presence of a drug, not the dose or purity).
• If, despite the dangers, you make the choice to take drugs, remember the rule low and slow. This means keep your initial dosage low and wait at least ninety minutes before taking more. Sometimes the effects of drugs aren’t noticeable for over two hours. Set a timer on your phone or have a friend do it.
• Never mix drugs, or combine them with alcohol. This can be incredibly dangerous, and can often complicate things for doctors in the event you need medical help.
• If you or a friend have used drugs and feel unwell, seek help immediately. In most circumstances, you won’t get in trouble or face legal action if you seek medical attention for drug-related issues. However, if you feel unwell and don’t seek help, there’s a serious possibility of death or life changing illness. It’s a no-brainer. For more info on what to do during a drug-related emergency, read this helpful guidance on the Talk To Frank website.
• Get to know the symptoms of an overdose or allergy: nausea and vomiting, severe stomach pain and abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, chest pain, dizziness, loss of balance, seizures (fitting), drowsiness and confusion, agitation, paranoia, slow or erratic pulse, difficulty breathing (shallow or erratic breathing or not breathing at all), hallucination, visual disturbances, choking or gurgling sounds, snoring deeply, blue fingernails or lips, pale or clammy face, loss of consciousness. You may be tempted to dismiss some symptoms as panic or paranoia; if in doubt, seek medical help.
• After the high, comes the low. Most drugs have a comedown which includes some unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. They don’t last forever but the next day you’re probably going to feel downright miserable as it can affect your mood and energy levels. The best you can do is give yourself plenty of rest, try and replace the liquids and minerals you’ve lost, and if you start feeling anxious or depressed, seek support either professionally or from friends and family.

Seeking support

During an emergency: once again, if you or a friend start to feel unwell while using drugs, get help immediately. For medical help, call an ambulance by ringing 999 and tell the crew everything you know about the drugs taken, it could save yours or their life.

If substance abuse is negatively affecting your health, relationships or studies then it might be time to stop. There’s never any shame in reaching out for help. There are plenty of resources online that you can access for free, as well as support groups on campus and in the city for all forms of addiction. You can also reach out to the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team for confidential advice and support. The Guild also offers drugs and alcohol support.

If you need treatment for drug addiction, you may be entitled to NHS care in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem. The ‘Talk To Frank’ website is also a useful tool for honest information about drugs and for help and advice.

Stay safe, and whether you’re heading into a new year of study or graduating, enjoy the celebrations – whatever they look like.