Alcohol

3 things to know if you're interested in recovery

Valerie Padilla — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:42:59 +0000

3 things to know if you're interested in recovery Valerie Padilla Fri, 11/08/2024 - 10:42

Taking the first steps toward recovery may feel daunting, but it’s a journey that can also offer hope, healing and personal growth.

Whether you’re struggling with substance use, behavioral addictions or simply feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns, recovery provides a pathway forward. Recovery is about more than overcoming potentially harmful behaviors—it's about creating a fulfilling life where you can thrive.

If you’re considering recovery, this article will help you understand what recovery means, if it’s right for you and the various forms it can take. Remember, there’s no “right” way to recover. The best approach is the one that works best for you.

Here are three key things to know as you begin your recovery journey.

1. What is recovery?

Traditionally, in alcohol and drug treatment settings, recovery is associated with abstinence-based programs or 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). However, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC) embraces a broader, more inclusive definition of recovery:

Recovery is the process of changing one's life to improve health, live a self-directed life and strive to reach one's full potential.

This approach supports multiple pathways to recovery for a variety of behaviors such as:

Alcohol and substance use

Disordered eating/eating disorders

Self-harm

Gaming

Gambling

Sex/porn

Internet/social media use

Shopping

Risk-taking

Nicotine

Steroids

Caffeine

Overworking

Other addictive or harmful behaviors

While many of these behaviors can be part of a balanced life, they have the potential to become addictive or cause significant harm when taken to extremes. This can result in compulsively repeating patterns or behaviors that result in negative consequences or experiences.

2. How do I know if recovery is right for me?

Determining whether recovery is appropriate for you is a personal experience that will require self-reflection. Consider the following questions:

Have substances or specific behaviors negatively impacted your relationships, academic or work performance, mental health or physical well-being?

Do you find yourself repeating patterns of use or behaviors that consistently lead to unwanted experiences?

Has anyone expressed concern about your behaviors or substance use?

Are you hoping to connect with a community of individuals who share similar experiences?

Do you aspire to live a healthier or more balanced lifestyle?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, exploring recovery options could be beneficial. It's important to remember that recovery is a personal journey, and the ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC is available to help you discover the path that aligns with your needs and goals.

3. What are the pathways of recovery?

Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It's a dynamic process that can take various forms depending on individual circumstances, goals and habits.

Here are some common pathways:

Harm reduction
This approach focuses on minimizing the negative consequences associated with substance use or addictive behaviors. It can be a steppingstone to other recovery pathways or a long-term strategy.

Moderation
This approach involves consciously moderating, reducing or changing your relationship with one or more substances or behaviors that have been causing harm.

Partial abstinence
This pathway involves discontinuing the use of a particular substance or ceasing a specific harmful behavior while maintaining awareness of other potentially problematic substances or behaviors.

Sobriety
This is the complete discontinuation of all substances and behaviors that cause harm. It's often associated with traditional recovery programs but can be pursued through various means, including therapy, support groups or self-directed change.

It's important to recognize that your recovery path may evolve over time as your life circumstances change or as you gain deeper insights into your habits and needs. The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC is committed to providing community, connection and support to help you navigate these options and find a recovery approach that works for you.

Whether you're dealing with substance use issues, behavioral addictions or simply seeking a more balanced life, there are resources and communities available to support your journey.

Recovery resources

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)
The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC provides support meetings, events and peer-support for students, staff and faculty interested in pursuing recovery. The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC office is also open for studying, socializing and drop-in support.

Sober housing
The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC offers dedicated sober housing for students on the north side of campus through their CORE Housing program. This program is open to full-time undergrad and graduate students who have been accepted into the CORE membership program and have a preferred six months of continuous sobriety from all drugs and alcohol.

Whether you’re struggling with substance use, behavioral addictions or feeling stuck in unhealthy patterns, here are a few things to know about recovery.

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Top health concerns for college students (and what to do about them)

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Top health concerns for college students (and what to do about them) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/25/2024 - 00:00

Health issues are more common than you may think among college students. Here are some of the most common health concerns you may experience in college and what you can do about them.

1. Stress, anxiety and depression

Many students experience mental health challenges in college, whether it’s related to stress, anxiety or depression. Increased responsibilities, busy schedules, changes in routine and other personal circumstances can all impact mental health in different ways.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to know that resources are available to help you cope and feel better.

Here are a few to check out:

Mental health workshops: Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers free weekly workshops to help students address anxiety, depression, stress, mindfulness and more.
Peer Wellness Coaching: Sometimes the best advice comes from other Buffs. That’s where peer wellness coaches come in. You can meet with a trained student to talk through things and get advice about time management, academics, test prep, relationships and more.
Let’s Talk: Talking through challenges can be a great way to gain insight, come up with a game plan and connect with resources. CAPS offers free drop-in hours as part of their Let’s Talk program where you can meet informally with a counselor for free to chat through a variety of concerns, including stress, anxiety and depression.
AcademicLiveCare: Students can access free, virtual counseling and psychiatry appointments online through AcademicLiveCare. This service is available to all students, regardless of your insurance plan.
Acupuncture and ear seeding: Did you know acupuncture can be used to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression? The Collegiate Recovery Community offers free ear seeding events every other Wednesday throughout the semester.
WellTrack: WellTrack is a free interactive and self-guided app that can help you identify, understand and address issues like stress, anxiety and/or depression.

2. Sleep

Getting enough sleep can be tricky in college. Work, classes, extracurriculars, exams and social events can all impact how much (or how little) rest we get. With everything going on, it’s important to remind yourself that sleep plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being. In fact, getting enough sleep can help keep your immune system running smoothly, improve your mood, help you retain information for exams and more.

If you’re struggling to get into a good sleep routine, here are some tips that can help:

Reduce your caffeine consumption during the day, especially in the late afternoon and evenings.
Avoid taking long naps during the day. Instead, focus on taking power naps that are only 20 to 30 minutes long. Campus has a variety of nap pod locations at The Rec, Wardenburg and Norlin Library.
Reduce your screen time at night. This includes your phone, laptop, gaming devices and televisions.
Get more natural light during the day by spending time outside.
Go to the gym earlier in the day to avoid releasing adrenaline into your system that may keep you up at night.
Make a nightly routine that helps you relax and prepare for bed. For instance, you can try brushing your teeth, reading a book, stretching, meditating or sipping sleepy time tea.
Pick up free sleep supplies like sleep masks, tea, ear plugs, aromatherapy rollers and more from the Wellness Suite on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center or have them delivered to your residence hall through Buff Box.
Consider signing up for a group acupuncture session if you struggle with insomnia. Acupuncture can help increase your melatonin, reduce stress and improve the overall quality of your sleep.

Check out more tips to help you optimize your sleep schedule.

3. Sexually transmitted infections

Did you know that about one in five people in the U.S. has a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? These types of infections are common in young adults and can pass from person to person through sexual activities like oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, genital contact or sexual fluids like semen.

Common STIs include human papilloma virus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes simplex virus (HSV), among others.

If you plan to be sexually active, here are some tips to follow:

Use protection, like dental dams, condoms and finger caps. Free supplies are available at Wardenburg Health Center and in Buff Boxes.
Get tested for STIs regularly if you are sexually active. Remember that the most common symptom of an STI is no symptoms.
Talk openly with your partners about your status or test results.
Get vaccinated for human papilloma virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B.
If you’re at an increased risk of contracting HIV, Medical Services offers Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to bacterial STIs like syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhea, doxyPEP can help prevent contraction after exposure.

If you or a partner ends up contracting an STI, it’s important to know that most types of STIs are treatable, and Medical Services offers a variety of testing and treatment options. Free at-home test kits are also available through a partnership through the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Find more information about what to do after unprotected sex and how to keep yourself safe in the future.

4. Seasonal illnesses

College campuses are crawling with germs and viruses. This is because students often live in close quarters, attend social gatherings and may have larger classes. Some of the most common seasonal illnesses to watch out for include the common cold, flu and COVID.

Avoid getting sick this year by:

Getting a free flu and/or COVID vaccine.
Washing your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
Staying hydrated and getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep.
Reducing your contact with others if they're feeling under the weather.
Disinfecting common surfaces in your home regularly.

If you do get sick, monitor your symptoms, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home when possible and opt to wear a mask. It’s important to know that viral infections like the common cold can’t be treated by a doctor. In these cases, you can use at-home remedies like cough drops, herbal tea, honey sticks for a sore throat and other self-care tactics. Pick up free wellness supplies at the Wellness Suite in Wardenburg Health Center or get them delivered to your residence hall for free in a Buff Box.

If you’re experiencing more severe symptoms like pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or difficulty breathing, it’s probably best to make an appointment with Medical Services. Students can also access care after-hours, on the weekends and during breaks through AcademicLiveCare.

5. Meningitis

Proximity with a lot of other people can lead to more than just seasonal illnesses. This is especially true for those living in residence halls or high-occupancy housing units. In fact, college students are at increased risk of contracting meningitis.

Meningitis is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening, infection of the brain and spinal cord.

The best way to prevent the spread of meningitis is to get the Meningitis (Men-ACWY) vaccine. If you’re not already vaccinated, you can schedule a vaccine appointment with Medical Services.

Symptoms of meningitis include:

Confusion
Fever
Headache
Sensitivity to light
Stiff neck

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment at Medical Services to be evaluated. It’s important to catch meningitis infections early to reduce the chances of spreading it to others and prevent serious nerve or brain damage. If you are experiencing symptoms after-hours, please go to an urgent care facility near you.

6. Substance use and misuse

Even though 93% of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Students support choosing not to drink at parties, college can come with unspoken expectations around partying, drinking and substance use.

Students may choose to use substances to cope with mental health issues, manage stress, improve their energy, catch up on assignments, ease social anxiety and more. However, substances can also cause students to have unwanted experiences, such as worsening mental health issues, poor grades, reduced learning or performance, legal challenges, risky decisions or behaviors, accidents and reliance on unhealthy coping methods, among others. In some cases, substance use may result in increased emergency room visits, accidents, alcohol poisoning, overdoses, addiction and long-term health effects.

If you’re interested in exploring or changing your relationship with substances, you can schedule a Buffs Discuss Substance Use session. These sessions are run by trained undergraduate peer facilitators who can empower students to gain deeper understanding and be intentional about substance use. If you prefer to work with a professional staff member, check out the free and non-judgmental Exploring Substance Use Workshop.

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder also has programs to help students who are in recovery or seeking recovery from a variety of unhealthy behaviors, including substance use. Health Promotion offers free support for quitting nicotine, including quit kits, coaching and more. Additionally, the Collegiate Recovery Community offers free peer support, weekly meetings and social events for students in recovery or interested in recovery from a variety of substances and other unwanted behaviors.

Students can pick up free naloxone or fentanyl test strips on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center or by ordering a Safer Night Out Buff Box.

7. Eating changes

There are a variety of things that can trigger changes in our eating patterns. In some cases, these changes are temporary, for instance forgetting to eat lunch while studying for an exam. However, significant changes can lead to more serious or long-term eating concerns, such as disordered eating behaviors or eating disorders.

For many students, college may be the first time that you have had the freedom or responsibility for deciding when, what and how to eat. This, on top of other stressors in college, can sometimes cause anxiety, especially for those who aren’t sure what food choices to make. Anxiety around food can also be compounded by things like cultural beauty standards, body image and comparing your body with those around you.

Here are some factors that can lead to unhealthy eating patterns:

Change or loss of control: Experiencing a lot of new things at once can be exciting, but it can also lead to stress or anxiety. As a result, people may compensate by exerting more control over what they eat.
Academics: It’s normal to feel worried about grades, workload and studying every once in a while. However, if classes become too stressful, some may use food as a coping method or a way to create control and stability.
Social groups: Friendships play a critical role in your college experience. However, it can also come with unspoken rules or peer pressure related to food, body image and exercise.
Food availability: Previous food experiences and current circumstances can impact how we view or access food. If someone is food insecure, it can affect their eating habits because they lack proper access to food.

If you feel lost when it comes to food or want to improve your relationship with food or exercise, there are resources on campus that can help.

Nutrition Services

Meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to learn about intuitive eating, adequate food intake and ways to overcome food rules or restrictions. Appointment options range from free screenings to ongoing sessions.

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)

The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC provides a free Food and Body Image support meeting every week. This drop-in meeting is a great place to build community and work with others who are in recovery from unhealthy relationships with food and body image.

Buff Pantry

The Basic Needs Center has an on-campus food pantry that supports all undergraduate and graduate students experiencing food insecurity. Simply complete a client intake form online and schedule an appointment to stop by once per week to select grocery items.

Explore your relationship with physical activity

Participating in regular movement (i.e., physical activity or exercise) has proven benefits for both our minds and bodies. Here are some tools to help you move your body in a safe and healthy way.

SNAP enrollment

The Basic Needs Center is available to help students enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides supplementary funds to help qualifying individuals and families access nutritious food.

Dietary Accommodations

Campus Dining Services strives to meet the dietary needs of our community through access to food options that are allergen-free, halal, kosher, vegan and vegetarian. If you need support navigating food options on campus, you can work one-on-one with our registered dietitian nutritionist.

8. Relationships

Exploring your sexuality and relationships is a normal part of college life and young adulthood. Making new friends, forming and maintaining long-term relationships, dating and hooking up require us to set boundaries, communicate openly, build trust and find support when we need it.

It's also important to recognize when a relationship that feels uncomfortable, unhealthy or downright harmful. These characteristics can show up in a variety of ways, including when our boundaries are not respected, issues with trust or breakdowns in connection or communication.

If you notice a friend seems more unhappy than not in their relationship or they express feeling unsafe with a partner, this is a good opportunity to offer care and support.

The Office of Victim Assistance is a great resource that can help students recognize and seek support for:

Healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationship behaviors
Stalking
Sexual harassment
Intimate partner abuse, dating and domestic violence, and familial abuse
Rights, reporting options and advocacy
Short-term trauma counseling services
Community referral options
Ways to support friends or family members who have been through a traumatic experience

The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) also offers free sexual relationships and consent workshops to help students explore boundary-setting, sexual decision-making, consent and the impact of alcohol on sex.

9. Physical injuries

Accidents happen, especially in college. That’s why it’s important to take precautions to avoid serious injuries on and off campus. Here are some tips you can use to stay safe.

Biking, skateboarding, walking and scootering

Always wear a helmet when biking, skateboarding or riding a scooter.
Stay in designated bike lanes or walking lanes.
Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when biking in the road, using crosswalks or going through intersections.
Be mindful of dismount zones on campus, and follow the rules, especially during high traffic times.
Never bike, skateboard or use scooters when under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other substances.

Outdoor recreation

Always wear a helmet when rock climbing, bouldering, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking or tubing.
Stay on designated trails and be mindful of avalanche or flood conditions in the backcountry.
Always pack adequate water and food, wear sunscreen and bring first aid supplies when adventuring outside.
Let someone know where you’re going and how long you expect to be gone. Be sure they can call for help if they don’t hear from you.

Driving

Never drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other substances. If you’re intoxicated, designate a sober person to drive or leave your car behind and use ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ NightRide, public transit or a rideshare service instead.
Minimize distractions by putting your cell phone on drive mode and not texting while driving.
Leave adequate space between yourself and other cars, especially during rush hour or in congested areas.
Use your hazard lights if you need to come to a stop quickly. This will alert the person behind you that they need to brake sooner than they might expect to avoid a collision.
If you are involved in an accident, move your vehicle to the shoulder or out of traffic.
Watch for pedestrians and bikes, even if they are not in a designated crosswalk or bike lane.

If you get injured or are involved in an accident, there are a variety of support services you can use on campus.

Medical Services

Medical Services provides injury care services, including x-rays. They can also help refer you to community services if you need more intense rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy and Integrative Care (PTIC)

The PTIC office provides a variety of services to students, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage to help address injuries, pain and other concerns.

Recreation Injury Care Center (RICC)

RICC provides free services to patrons and guests of the Rec Center including first aid, baseline concussion testing, injury prevention services and athletic training services.

AcademicLiveCare

If you need after-hours support for medical or urgent care needs, AcademicLiveCare offers free, on-demand virtual appointments for all students.

Health issues are more common than you may think, especially among college students. Here are some you may experience in college and what you can do about them.

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4 things everyone should know about hazing

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

4 things everyone should know about hazing Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/04/2024 - 00:00

College can come with a lot of social pressures. Sometimes, in our efforts to make friends or join a particular group, we can find ourselves in uncomfortable or dangerous situations.

Here are four things everyone should know about hazing.

What is hazing?

Hazing includes any activities expected of a person to join or participate in a group that can humiliate, degrade, abuse, endanger or risk emotional or physical harm. Hazing can also include any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally causes harm.

When we talk about hazing, it’s important to know that the person’s willingness to participate in a given activity or task does not make it okay.

Who is at risk?

It’s important to know that hazing can happen in any group, including:

Club sports teams
College athletics
Academic clubs
Performing arts organizations
Fraternities and sororities

Honor societies
Intramural sports teams
Political or religious organizations
Residence hall floors
Student organizations

The risk of hazing can differ by group depending on several factors, including group culture and tolerance for hazing behaviors. Taking some time to reflect on the types of groups you want to join (and why) can help you clarify for yourself what types of relationships and experiences you want to have in college. It can also help you begin to think about what activities you are or are not comfortable doing to be part of a given group.

If you’re considering joining a group, try asking yourself the following questions:

What types of groups or organizations have you thought about joining and why?
What do you know about the group? How can you find out more?
What kinds of activities are required to join?
How will it impact your academics, social life or other activities?
Is drinking or drug use a significant part of the culture and what might that mean for you?
How comfortable are you with the activities or the unknowns related to the membership process?

What does hazing look like?

Hazing encompasses a wide range of activities. These activities are often required of specific members of the group, such as new recruits. Additionally, they are often meant to take priority over other activities in a person’s life as part of the initiation or recruitment process.

Here are some examples of what hazing can look like in real life.*

Intimidation

Deception, secrecy, coercion
Assigning demerits
Demeaning names
Social isolation
Expecting certain items to always be in your possession
Ignoring members
Reports from specific members
Duties assigned only to specific members
Trying to instill fear in members
Depriving members of privileges

Harm to well-being

Verbal abuse
Threats or implied threats
Asking members to wear embarrassing attire
Skit nights with degrading or humiliating acts
Sleep deprivation
Sexual simulation or harassment
Questioning or interrogation under pressure
Requiring new members to perform personal service to active members or alumni (e.g., carrying books, running errands)
Required singing or chanting at an unrelated game or event

Violence/physical harm

Forced consumption of alcohol, drugs, food, etc.
Beating, paddling or other forms of assault
Branding
Water intoxication
Abduction/kidnapping
Sexual assault, including unwanted touching or penetration, including oral, anal, vaginal, with a body part or objects
Forced tattoos or body piercings
Enduring harsh weather without appropriate clothing or protection

*(Allan, 2015; Allan & Kerschner, 2020; Adapted from Bringing in the Bystander)

Due to the nature of these activities, many hazing behaviors go unrecognized and unreported.

It’s important to know that groups who participate in these types of hazing activities or rituals often swear members to secrecy about all aspects of the group, including initiation requirements and activities. Speaking up about hazing, even when it interferes with a group’s expectations, can help prevent it from escalating or happening to other members.

What can I do about hazing?

Hazing can be a sensitive topic, especially if someone has been subjected to degrading, humiliating or violent behaviors and activities.

Here are a few things you can do to help someone who may be experiencing hazing.

Learn to identify hazing activities

Knowing what hazing looks like can help you understand what is okay and what crosses the line. To help identify if an action may be considered hazing, ask the following questions:

Is this a required part of the membership process for a particular group?
Could this cause harm, including feelings of embarrassment, humiliation or degradation?
Are people involved being pressured or coerced to participate?
What will happen to someone who doesn’t want to participate?

Take note of changes

Hazing can cause someone to experience physical, emotional and psychological distress. Here are some signs to take note of if you think someone may be experiencing hazing:

Prioritizing group/membership activities over other areas in their life (e.g., school, relationships, etc.).
Expressing fear or hesitation about what might happen to them if they don’t participate in a specific group activity, even if it makes them uncomfortable.
Changes to their behavior or mood, including depression, anxiety or restlessness.
Missing class, work or outside social events.
Describing “traditions” that sound like hazing.
Changes to sleep habits, including fatigue.
Posting concerning or odd things on social media.
Secrecy related to group membership or “traditions.”

Learn more about the signs of hazing

Start the conversation

If you’re concerned about a friend who may be experiencing hazing, here are some ways to start the conversation:

Start with compassion. Show the individual that you care about them and are concerned. For instance, you can say something like “You’ve been spending a significant amount of your time with [group], and I'm wondering how that's going?”
Describe what you have observed (e.g., lack of sleep, changes in your friend’s mood). Sometimes individuals being hazed do not realize they are being hazed.
Listen without judgment. Show the person it’s okay to come to you for support, even if it is a hard subject to talk about.
Validate that hazing is wrong, it’s not okay and it’s not the person’s fault.
Empower the individual to take some sort of action by suggesting options or resources (e.g., talking to a professional, leaving the organization, reporting the organization, etc.) to give them choices without telling them what to do.
Stay connected. Not all individuals going through hazing are ready to report it and may need time to process. You must be there for support, as they could need you later on.

Connect with resources

Whether you or someone you know is struggling with hazing or initiation practices, there are support resources available. For more information, you can also check out StopHazing.org.

Don’t Ignore It
Explore your options for seeking confidential support, reporting concerns and learning skills for helping others. If something seems off, it probably is—don't ignore it.

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)
OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or disruptive event. This includes hazing.

Confidential resource

Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM provides individualized support to students. SSCM case managers connect students with campus partners, community resources and support systems, while building a trusting relationship and coaching them toward self-advocacy.

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR)
If you or someone you know has experienced hazing, you can file an anonymous report with SSCR.

Office of the Dean of Students (For staff, faculty and families)
The Dean of Students supports and advocates for students and connects them with resources. If you are unsure how to advise a student in need of support, call the office at 303-492-9048 for assistance and referrals.

When making fast friends or join a particular group, we may find ourselves in uncomfortable or dangerous situations. Here are four things everyone should know about hazing.

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Party smarter: 7 tips for navigating parties

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Party smarter: 7 tips for navigating parties Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 07/26/2024 - 00:00

During your time at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ, you may find yourself at social events or parties that have alcohol or other substances. This guide offers practical tips and advice to help you navigate parties and stay safe.

1. Choose your own adventure

It's easy to assume that everyone drinks in college. However, it’s important to know that this stereotype doesn’t hold true. You know better than anyone what fun means to you. That’s why it’s important for you to actively choose to have the experience that you want.

If you choose not to drink or use substances, that’s okay. This doesn’t mean you have to miss out on social events or parties either. In fact, 96% of surveyed ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder students support not drinking at parties.

2. Set limits

Limits aren’t just about how many drinks you have or substances you use. They can include a variety of strategies that can help you have wanted experiences and avoid unwanted experiences. Here are a few examples of limits you may set for yourself:

Social circle: Alcohol or other drug use can make anyone more vulnerable to unwanted experiences. If you’re invited out, be thoughtful about who you choose to surround yourself with. Choose people you trust and who will look out for you. Try to make a plan before you go out together. For instance, you may want to ensure everyone is on the same page about sticking together or helping each other get home safely. This can be particularly important if you are new to campus and haven’t formed close relationships yet.
Types of parties: What kinds of parties do you want to attend? In some cases, you may not be willing to go to large gatherings or participate in ‘party-hopping.’ Let your group know if you aren’t comfortable or want to find a different party to go to.
Party duration: Knowing when it’s time to leave can help ensure that you maintain control over your night. If you’re ready to go, make a plan with your group to ensure everyone makes it home safely and nobody gets left behind.
Frequency: Parties are common, especially on the weekends. Setting limits around how often you drink, use substances or attend parties can help ensure that you don’t go overboard. Consider limiting the number of events you attend each week or month. This can help you avoid burnout and potential impacts in other areas of your life, like academic performance, extracurriculars and relationships.
Number of drinks: This is one of the most common limits people set for themselves. Keep in mind that substances affect everyone differently and knowing your limit is a learning process. Your limit may look different from those around you, and that’s okay. If you’re not sure what your limit is, start small. For instance, you can take a break between drinks to see how they make you feel before having more. Consider enlisting a friend to help you stick to a limit that works for you or let you know when they think you’ve had enough.

3. Master the art of saying “I'm good, thanks”

Whether you’re trying to avoid peer pressure or leave a party, it’s important to have some strategies under your belt. Consider potential exit strategies before you go out so you’re better prepared to use them. Here are some examples you can use:

Avoiding peer pressure

Fill your cup with water or a non-alcoholic beverage to show that you already have a drink and don’t need a refill.

Choose to participate in other activities that aren’t as focused on drinking, such as watching others play games or getting to know other people at the party.

Rely on your friends to help you if someone is being pushy about drinks or other substances. They may be able to intervene or redirect the situation, especially if you’re struggling to do it yourself.

Leaving a party

Before you attend a party or gathering, plan how you’ll get home. Make sure your friend group is on the same page, your phones are charged and you have enough money for transportation if needed.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable or want to go home, confide in your trusted friends. Let them know you’re ready to leave and ask someone to go with you.

You can always make up an excuse to get out of the party. It’s okay to say you have work in the morning, your roommate got locked out or you aren’t feeling well. Do what you need to take care of yourself.

Remember that your friends should always respect your decisions to slow down, stop or leave. If you’re feeling pressured by members of your group, consider seeking out another person you know to help you out of the situation.

4. Stick to one substance at a time

Using more than one substance at a time, including alcohol, medication or other drugs, can increase your risk of experiencing an overdose. The interactions between substances are often unpredictable and may impact you more than others. That’s why it’s important to stick to one substance at a time.

5. Be prepared for emergencies

Sometimes things can go badly or take an unexpected turn. This can include a person experiencing alcohol poisoning or an accidental overdose at a party. Knowing how to respond and get the person help can save their life.

If an emergency situation unfolds, here’s what you can do:

Watch for these signs:

Passed out or unresponsive
Slow or no breathing
Vomiting while passed out
Involuntary peeing or pooping
Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin
Pinpoint (small) pupils
Making gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds

How to respond:

Immediately call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Make sure the person is in a safe area to avoid injury.
Turn the person on their side and put them in the recovery position.
Administer naloxone (even if you’re unsure about their condition).
Never leave a severely intoxicated person alone or with someone who is not a trusted friend.

Important policies to know

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Amnesty Policy

Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion).

To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:

Call for help (911 or university staff).
Stay with the individual until help arrives.
Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.

911 Good Samaritan Law

A person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when they report, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose to a law enforcement officer, the 911 system or a medical provider.

This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer, or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.

6. Look out for others

The reality is that most sexual assaults are carried out by friends, acquaintances, partners, exes or by a person someone has met online or at a party. Pushing substances onto someone or pursuing someone who is intoxicated can be a common tactic for committing sexual assault.

If you’re at a party or out with friends, it’s important to keep an eye out for sketchy situations that may indicate that someone is trying to take advantage of another person through the use of alcohol or other drugs.

Watch out for someone who is:

Coercing or pressuring someone to consume more alcohol or drugs than they are comfortable with.
Initiating sexual contact with someone because they are intoxicated and less likely to resist.
Isolating someone who has had too much to drink or is having a negative drug experience.
Not telling someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting.

If you notice these signs, be prepared to intervene or interrupt, even if you aren’t sure you're reading the situation correctly. You may need to help reconnect them with trusted friends or enlist others to help ensure they can get home safely.

Learn more about drug-facilitated sexual assault

7. Have fun

College can be a stressful time, and it’s important to take time to have some fun. Practicing these strategies can help you stay safe and enjoy your night out.

Resources

If you're looking to explore your relationship with substances, explore the impacts of alcohol and sex, register an upcoming party or connect with a recovery community, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder has resources that can help.

Party registration

Register your gathering to lessen the chances of receiving an expensive ticket. By registering your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations, you will get a 20-minute warning before police officers arrive if your residence receives a noise complaint.

Party smart

Check out this site for more information about:

A variety of substances, including opioids, nicotine, cannabis, etc.
Party registration
Common citations

Free sexual health workshop

Explore boundary-setting, consent, pleasure, the impact of alcohol on sex and sexual assault prevention during this interactive workshop presented by the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).

Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services is a dedicated law firm that provides support to eligible ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder students facing legal issues, including:

DUI/DWI
MIP (minor in possession)
Nuisance party
Underage drinking
Noise violation
Open container
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Possession or distribution of prescription or recreational drugs

Free substance use workshops

Health Promotion offers free workshops to help students reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances.

Exploring Substance Use Workshop (facilitated by trained staff members)
Buffs Discuss Substance Use (facilitated by trained students)

*Workshops are not considered therapy or substance abuse treatment.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

CAPS provides several services related to substance use, including:

Substance use assessments
Brief individual therapy
Support for concerned friends and family members
Referrals to recovery and other community resources
Suboxone treatment

*Confidential resource

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR)

SCCR provides support and resources to help students understand the impact of their behaviors, balancing accountability with growth and education. The student conduct process helps students reflect on and repair any harm caused and create a personal plan to minimize or eliminate harm in the future.

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)

The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC provides weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and other resources for those considering, pursuing or actively in recovery from drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm, other addictions and unwanted behaviors.

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)

OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event, including, but not limited to, sexual assault and harassment.

*Confidential resource

At ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ you may find yourself at social events or parties with alcohol or other drugs. Check out this guide for tips and advice for navigating parties.

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6 tips for a safe St. Paddy’s Day weekend

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0000

6 tips for a safe St. Paddy’s Day weekend Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/07/2024 - 00:00

Planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend? Check out these tips to have a fun, safe night out.

1. Make it your own

St. Patrick’s Day is often associated with drinking, parties and pub crawls. However, there are a lot of alternative ways to celebrate the holiday. Think through what you’d like to do over the holiday weekend, and remember it’s okay if you don’t want to drink or use other substances.

If you’re not sure what to do, check out upcoming St. Patrick’s Day events on campus.

2. Have a plan in advance

Large celebrations and holiday parties can become overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to plan out your night or weekend in advance.

Here are some ways you can plan ahead.

Who’s in your group? Think through who you intend to go out with. Ensure that everyone is on the same page about where they want to go and what they want to do. Remember that it’s best to choose a group of friends that you know will take care of you, even if things don’t go as planned.
What will you do if your group gets separated? Commit to sticking together and make a plan in advance for what to do if anyone gets separated. Consider how you will meet back up, and make sure everyone knows what to do. Using the ‘share my location’ feature on your phone, in Apple Maps or Google Maps is a great way to let others know where you are. If you choose to use the built-in feature on your phone, you may want to remove permissions later on.
How will you check in with friends? Make sure that you have everyone’s phone number saved so you can start a group chat to check in with each other. Be sure to keep your notifications on and turn up your phone volume so you don’t miss calls or texts from other group members.

3. Make choices that are right for you

Whether you choose to drink or use other substances or not, you should make choices that feel right for you. This may include saying no to a large party or gathering, heading home earlier than your friends or choosing an alternative way to celebrate.

If you plan to drink or use other substances, be sure to look out for your friends and keep each other accountable. Remember that everyone has a different tolerance and limit, so it’s important to go at your own pace, regardless of what everyone else around you is doing. It can also be helpful to set a limit before you go out.

Here are some potential limits to consider.

Limit the number of drinks you have on a single night.
Avoid shots or hard alcohol.
Avoid playing drinking games like king’s cup, rage cage or beer pong.
Avoid mixing alcohol and other substances.
Avoid drinking premixed beverages. Instead, opt for unopened drinks.
Alternate between alcoholic beverages and water or other non-alcoholic options.
Eat dinner before going out.

4. Know your no

If you find yourself feeling peer pressured or in uncomfortable situations at a party, come up with ways to avoid unwanted outcomes in advance.

Here are some strategies you can use.

Fill your cup with water to avoid unwanted refills.
Let your friends know when you’re ready to leave, and ask them to make sure you get home safely.
If someone at a party is making you feel uncomfortable, enlist the help of friends to get out of sketchy situations.
Keep track of how many drinks you’ve had based on standard serving sizes (1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer each count as one drink).
Avoid drinking premixed beverages. Instead, opt for unopened drinks. Never leave your drink unattended.

5. Be an effective bystander

Friends and bystanders play an important role when someone is vulnerable due to their level of intoxication, or if a person has been intentionally incapacitated by drugs or alcohol. This is because people who are impaired or incapacitated are unable to advocate for and protect themselves.

While you’re out, look out for your friends and strangers at parties or other events. If you notice something that feels ‘off,’ it probably is.

Here are some ways you can help or intervene on someone’s behalf.

Be direct. In some situations, you can directly approach a person who may need help to ask them how they’re doing, what they may need and if they’d like assistance.
Relocate. In some situations, it may be more comfortable to not be direct. If this is the case, you can help by pulling someone out of a situation. For instance, if you notice someone is uncomfortable with a person hitting on them, you can pretend to be friends and invite that person to follow you to a different area before checking in with them.
Enlist the help of others. Sometimes the best strategy is to alert others to a sketchy situation. This can include asking friends or other bystanders to help you resolve a situation or help someone in need.

Learn more about effective bystander intervention

6. Be aware of overdose risks

Drinking too much and experimenting with substances can lead to alcohol poisoning or accidental overdoses.

Mixing substances: Avoid mixing drugs with alcohol, including prescription medications. Taking more than one substance at a time can increase your risk of passing out, blacking out, feeling sick, doing something you may regret later or accidentally overdosing.

Accepting drugs from friends: Counterfeit prescriptions and illicit drugs can contain lethal amounts of fentanyl, an opioid that is more powerful than heroin and morphine. This includes things like Xanax, Oxycontin, MDMA, cocaine and more. To avoid a potential overdose, avoid accepting drugs from friends, roommates, strangers or dealers. Make sure you are prepared to respond to a potential overdose at a party or gathering by bringing naloxone. This nasal spray is FDA-approved to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Students can pick up free naloxone and fentanyl test strips from Health Promotion on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center.

Signs that may indicate someone is overdosing include:

Passing out or becoming unresponsive
Breathing slowly or not at all
Vomiting while passed out
Pooping or peeing involuntarily
Pale, bluish, cool or clammy
Making gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder and ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Police have policies in place that can protect students from sanctions when they call 911 in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency.

Connect with resources

Party registration

If you or your roommates plan to host a party, be sure to register your gathering with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations. This provides you with the opportunity to receive a warning for noise complaints and other ordinances before officers intervene.

Party smart tips

Knowing how to party smart can help keep you and your friends safe. That’s why we provide harm reduction tips related to alcohol, fentanyl, marijuana, study drugs, vaping and more. You can also review information on how to respond to an overdose, as well as protective policies like the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ 911 Good Samaritan Law and the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Amnesty Policy.

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)

The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC provides support meetings, recovery-focused housing, events and activities, peer support and more for students in recovery or interested in pursuing recovery from drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm, other addictions and unwanted behaviors.

Early intervention workshops

Our workshops provide an opportunity for individuals and small groups to gain a better understanding of their relationship with substances and gain the skills and support for behavior change.

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)

* Confidential resource

Sexual assault workshops

The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) provides free, discussion-based sessions where participants explore what ideas and messages influence our sexual decisions and communication. They’ll discuss consent, pleasure, the impact of alcohol on sex, and sexual assault.

Planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend? Check out these tips to have a fun, safe night out.

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5 tips to stay safe and have fun over Halloween weekend

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:22:58 +0000

5 tips to stay safe and have fun over Halloween weekend Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/25/2023 - 12:22

Halloween weekend can be a time to have fun and celebrate with friends. Celebrations that involve alcohol and other substances can also make it easier for problematic behaviors and unwelcome advances to go unnoticed.

Here are a few tips to help you have a safer Halloween weekend out with friends.

1. Respect your friends’ limits

Halloween can be a time for many people to get out of their comfort zones by dressing up, feeling the adrenaline rush of a haunted house or attending parties off campus. However, there are also a number of Halloween traditions that can make people feel uncomfortable or unsafe, like being grabbed in a haunted house or maze or agreeing to attend a party where they don’t know many people. It's important to keep in mind that things that may feel fun to one person may be too uncomfortable or risky for someone else.

If a friend expresses hesitancy to participate in a particular activity or event, let them know you support their decision. Letting your friends know that you will support them even if they don’t join in can go a long way in building trust and respect.

Additionally, it can be hard for any of us to know what new situations are past our limits until we are in it. This is because we may feel pressure to dismiss our body’s cues in order to be accepted or go with the flow. If a friend wants to leave halfway through a haunted house or in the middle of the party, listen to what they’re feeling. If they need help getting out of a situation, make a commitment to leave together or as a group.

2. Pay attention to sketchy situations

Dressing up is a cherished part of celebrating Halloween. However, this tradition can also be infused with problematic stereotypes and attitudes. For this reason, it’s important to notice when people are using outfit and costume choices or alcohol or other drugs as an excuse for groping, non-consensual touching and other inappropriate comments or behaviors.

Watch out for individuals who:

Coerce or pressure someone to use alcohol or drugs or consume more than they are comfortable with.
Initiate sexual contact because they think the other person is intoxicated and/or less likely to resist.
Isolate someone who has had too much to drink or is having a negative drug experience.
Don't tell someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting.
Dress up, use accents or mock individuals or groups based on their identity.

3. Brainstorm ways to help

It’s okay to intervene or interrupt a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, even if you’re not sure you’re reading it correctly. If someone’s behavior seems aggressive, weird or makes you uncomfortable, don’t ignore it.

Offering help in these types of situations can feel awkward in the moment, so it can be helpful to think of ways to help that feel realistic for you to try. This can include enlisting the help of trusted friends to ensure a person gets home safely or can get out of a situation. Check out the Don’t Ignore It website to explore support resources, strategies for bystanders and reporting information.

4. Keep track of your friends

Make a commitment to stick together and agree on how you will meet back up if you get separated. This lessens the chances that someone in your group will have to rely on lesser-known friends or strangers to get home, which can also reduce the chances of something bad happening.

It’s also important to establish a way to check in with each other. Save each other’s phone numbers and consider starting a group chat so you can communicate in case someone needs help. You’ll want to make sure that everyone has their sound on so you don’t miss any important notifications from the group.

Finally, make sure everyone knows where you’re all planning to go. Google and Apple Maps are a great way to make sure everyone ends up where they’re supposed to be. If you do get separated in a crowd, try using the “share my location” feature with the group so they can find you and regroup. If plans change, make sure everyone knows and is in agreement.

5. Have an out

It’s perfectly okay to decline an invitation to do something if it doesn’t feel right. Remember that you can always make up an excuse to get out of an uncomfortable situation or leave a party if it feels like it’s too much or is getting out of hand.

If you want to go home or leave a particular party, let your friends know you’re ready to go and ask someone to go with you. Remember that you can always make an excuse to leave a party, event or situation. For instance, you can say that you have work in the morning, a family emergency or that you aren’t feeling well.

Support resources

Resources are available for students who have experienced identity-based harassment or sexual misconduct, want to support friends and survivors, or want to learn more about prevention. Students often reach out to friends or family members first when something bad happens. Having the skills to respond effectively without blame or judgment is important to keep in mind. Learn more skills for supporting your friends after a traumatic event.

Here are some resources available to support those who have been affected.

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)

OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, discrimination, and identity-based harassment.

Confidential resource

Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC)

OIEC offers educational sessions and implements university policies and processes around sexual assault, intimate partner abuse and stalking, and other forms of discrimination and harassment. If you or someone you know at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ has been impacted, reports can be filed online. Anonymously reporting is an option as well.

Don't Ignore It

Explore your options for seeking confidential support, reporting concerns and learning skills for helping others. If something seems off, it probably is—don't ignore it.

Mandatory reporting policy

All university employees who have the authority to hire, promote, discipline, evaluate, grade, formally advise or direct faculty, staff or students are considered "responsible employees" and are required to report alleged misconduct to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC). This includes, but is not limited to resident advisors, teaching assistants, professors, graduate instructors, academic advisors, coaches or other university employees with supervisory authority.

Any sexual misconduct, intimate partner abuse (including dating and domestic violence), stalking, protected-class discrimination or harassment, or related retaliation disclosed to a responsible employee must be reported to OIEC. The person impacted has the choice about whether and how they want to proceed. Reporting is required to help ensure that people impacted by misconduct understand their rights and options and the resources available.

Note: Confidential campus resources are exempt from ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s mandatory reporting policy, including the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA), Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) and Ombuds.

Learn more about mandatory reporting

Halloween celebrations that involve alcohol and other substances can also make it easier for problematic behaviors and unwelcome advances to go unnoticed. Here are some tips to stay safe and have fun over Halloween weekend.

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Going out over Halloween weekend? Follow these 6 tips

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:01:58 +0000

Going out over Halloween weekend? Follow these 6 tips Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/17/2023 - 15:01

If your Halloween weekend plans include parties, alcohol or other substances, be sure to use these tips to plan a safe and fun night out with friends.

1. Choose for yourself

People commonly make some assumptions about partying in college, especially around drinking holidays. You may assume that everyone parties on Halloween, that it’s normal to party every holiday weekend or that it’s the best way to meet people and have fun.

Partying is often represented this way on social media and other students may emphasize the party scene in Boulder, but those perceptions are often skewed. It’s important to remember that everyone has the opportunity to decide what they want for their own college experience.

If you choose to drink or use other substances, think about what you want your night or weekend out to look like. Knowing what you want and how to achieve that can help you think of ways to avoid experiences you don’t want, such as blacking out, accidentally overdosing, doing something you’ll regret or having a hangover.

2. Set limits

Setting limits around partying can help ensure that you have a positive experience. Here are a few examples:

Social circle: Be thoughtful about the people you go out with. It makes a difference if you are with people who will have your back, prioritize everyone’s safety and look out for each other, especially if something goes sideways or someone has too much to drink.

Number of drinks: Substances affect everyone differently and knowing your limit is a learning process. Your limit may look different from those around you, and that’s okay. Consider enlisting a friend to help you stick to a limit that works for you or let you know when they think you’ve had enough.
Frequency: College can be a hectic time, and it can be helpful to set limits around how often you want to consume alcohol, use substances or attend parties. Consider limiting the number of nights or events you attend this weekend. This can help you avoid impacts that the holiday weekend may have when it’s over.
Party duration: Knowing when to call it a night can help you maintain control and avoid overconsumption. Make a plan with your friends to ensure that everyone makes it home safely and nobody gets left behind.
Types of parties: Consider setting limits around the number and types of parties you’re willing to attend. For instance, you may not be willing to go “party-hopping” or only want to attend parties where you know who’s hosting.

3. Have an out

Whether you’re trying to avoid peer pressure or leave a party, it’s important to have an out. Consider your exit strategies before you go out with friends. This will help you be better prepared to address the situation in the moment.

Avoid peer pressure

If you’re done drinking, you can fill your cup with water or a non-alcoholic beverage to avoid unwanted refills.
There are plenty of ways to have fun at a party if you don’t want to drink. Get on the dance floor, watch others play games or just spend time talking with people.

Rely on your friends to help you if someone is being pushy about drinks or other substances. They may be able to intervene or redirect the situation, especially if you’re struggling to do it yourself.

Leave a party

Before you attend a party or gathering, plan how you’ll get home. Make sure your friend group is on the same page, your phones are charged and you have enough money for transportation if needed.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable or want to go home, confide in your trusted friends. Let them know you’re ready to leave and ask someone to go with you.
You can always make up an excuse to get out of the party. It’s okay to say you have work in the morning, you have a family emergency or you aren’t feeling well. Do what you need to take care of yourself.

4. Help prevent overdoses

If an emergency situation unfolds, here’s what you can do:

Watch for signs of an overdose:

Passed out or unresponsive
Slow or no breathing
Vomiting while passed out
Involuntary peeing or pooping
Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin
Pinpoint (small) pupils
Making gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds

How to respond:

Immediately call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Make sure the person is in a safe area to avoid injury.
Turn the person on their side and put them in the recovery position.
Administer naloxone (it’s safe to use even if someone is not overdosing or you’re unsure what substances they may have used).
Never leave a severely intoxicated person alone or with someone who is not a trusted friend.

Important policies to know

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Amnesty Policy

To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:

Call for help (911 or university staff).
Stay with the individual until help arrives.
Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.

911 Good Samaritan Law

The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system or to a medical provider.

This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.

5. Look out for others

The reality is that most sexual assaults are carried out by friends, acquaintances, partners, exes or by a person someone has met online or at a party. This often contradicts what we believe and can make it more difficult to recognize an experience as assault.

It’s also important to remember that pushing substances onto someone or pursuing someone who is intoxicated can be a common tactic for committing sexual assault.

Watch out for someone who is:

Coercing or pressuring someone to consume more alcohol or drugs than they are comfortable with.
Initiating sexual contact with someone because they are intoxicated and less likely to resist.
Isolating someone who has had too much to drink or is having a negative drug experience.
Not telling someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting.

If you notice these signs, be prepared to intervene or interrupt the situation, even if you aren’t sure you’re reading the situation correctly. You may need to help reconnect them with trusted friends or enlist others to help ensure they can get home safely.

Learn more about drug-facilitated sexual assault

6. Have fun

College can be a stressful time, and it’s important to take time to have some fun. Practicing these strategies can help you stay safe and enjoy your night or weekend out.

Resources

Party smart

Learn how to register your party, avoid citations and ways to practice safe alcohol and drug consumption.

Free substance use workshops

Health Promotion offers free workshops to help students reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances.

Exploring Substance Use Workshop (facilitated by trained staff members)
Buffs Discuss Substance Use (facilitated by trained students)

*Workshops are not considered therapy or substance abuse treatment.

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)

Free sexual health workshop

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

CAPS provides a number of services related to substance use, including:

Substance use assessments
Brief individual therapy
Support for concerned friends and family members
Referrals to recovery and other community resources
Suboxone treatment

Confidential resource

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)

Confidential resource

If your Halloween weekend plans include parties, alcohol or other substances, be sure to use these tips to plan a safe and fun night out with friends.

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4 ways to look out for each other

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:59:25 +0000

4 ways to look out for each other Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:59

This year’s football season is expected to be bigger than ever. If you’re planning to attend, here are some tips to help you and your friends stay safe.

1. Nail down your plans

Who’s in your group? Identify who you want to go to events with, and make sure everyone is on the same page about where you plan to go before, during and after. It’s best to choose a group of friends that you know will take care of each other in case something happens.

Stick together. Make a commitment to stick together and agree on how you will meet back up if you get separated. This can decrease the chances that someone in your group will have to rely on lesser-known friends or strangers to get home.

Check in with each other. It’s also important to establish a way to check in with each other throughout the day, night or weekend. Consider starting a group chat so you can communicate with each other in case someone needs help. You’ll also want to make sure that everyone has their sound on, so they don’t miss any important notifications from the group.

Share your location. Finally, make sure everyone knows where you’re all going. Google and Apple Maps are a great way to make sure everyone ends up where they’re supposed to be. If you do get separated in a crowd, try sending a pin to the group with your location. You can also use features like “share my location.” Just remember to turn it off later if you want to stop sharing access. Finally, if plans change, make sure everyone knows and agrees on what you’re going to do.

2. Look out for each other

If you or your friends plan to drink (or use other substances), make a commitment to watch out for each other and keep each other accountable. It can be helpful to set a limit before you go out, so your friends know when they may need to step in. In fact, 91% of students find it acceptable to let a friend know when they’ve had too much to drink.

You may also want to discourage each other from embarrassing or dangerous things at parties or events. For instance, if someone wants to crowd surf or ‘table smash,’ you may want to redirect them into a different activity. Similarly, if someone has drunk too much, it’s likely time to switch out their drinks for water or help them get home.

3. Know your out

Create a code word, sign or text emoji that means ‘get me out of this situation!’ Proactively keep an eye out for suspicious situations, especially if someone is intoxicated and may not be able to communicate their discomfort with the group.

This can include things like someone pursuing one of your friends in an unwanted or predatory way. Watch for people who hit on the drunkest person, encourage others to drink, try to get a drunk person alone or away from their friends or are persistent about pursuing someone sexually.

If you see someone in a potentially harmful or high-risk situation, you can do something to intervene. Bystanders are particularly important in situations where someone is being targeted because of their level of intoxication, or if a person has been intentionally drugged at a party. Remember that impaired or incapacitated people are usually unable to protect or advocate for themselves.

4. Get home safe

Make sure everyone gets home safely.

Commit to not ditching someone if they have too much to drink or become unwilling to stick with your plans to stay together. Consider whether someone offering to walk a person home or look after someone who has had too much to drink is being helpful and trustworthy or is potentially looking for access to someone who is vulnerable.

Never leave someone behind with casual friends, people you just met or don’t know very well, especially when someone has been drinking or using other substances.

Resources

Here are a few campus resources you can take advantage of before, during and after Black and Gold Weekend.

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ NightRide

Looking for a ride home? Give ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ NightRide a try! This student-operated program provides free night-time transportation for all ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder students, staff and faculty.

Free naloxone

Naloxone is an FDA-approved nasal spray that can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses. Students can pick up naloxone for free on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center.

Party smart

Knowing how to party smart can help keep you and your friends safe. Check out these tips to keep yourself and your friends safe if you plan to host or attend parties at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ.

Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)

OVA provides free, confidential counseling, advocacy, information and referrals for students, staff and faculty. They specialize in addressing current, past, experienced and witnessed traumatic events, including sexual assault, violence, crime and more.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

CAPS provides a variety of mental health services and consultation for all students. If you’re worried about a friend or need urgent/crisis support, call 303-492-2277 (24/7) to talk with a mental health professional.

Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC)

The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC provides community, support and connection for students, faculty and staff in recovery or seeking recovery from a wide range of behaviors, including substance use, gambling, eating concerns, self-harm and more.

This year’s football season is expected to be bigger than ever. If you’re planning to attend, here are some tips to help you and your friends stay safe.

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ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder programs prepare students, staff and faculty to respond to opioid crisis

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:22:32 +0000

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder programs prepare students, staff and faculty to respond to opioid crisis Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/26/2023 - 09:22

While rates of illicit drug use remain low at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder, the presence of fentanyl in ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ and across the U.S. has compounded an already dire opioid crisis. The Denver Department for Public Health and Environment reported 228 fatal overdoses, 146 involving fentanyl, in the first half of 2023 alone, representing a 16% increase over previous years.

Substance use, overdoses and fentanyl poisoning often carry stigma that makes these issues challenging to address. However, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder recognizes the immense toll they continue to take on individuals, families and communities. That is why Health & Wellness Services has made it a priority to engage community organizations and create comprehensive, evidence-based programs aimed at educating and equipping students, families, staff and faculty to respond to the ongoing crisis.

Health & Wellness programs use an evidence-based harm reduction approach that incorporates a variety of strategies to address substance use, misuse and addiction disorders. These measures promote safety for those that use, access to recovery services and overdose education that can help reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Together, the following harm reduction efforts are intended to save lives, empower individuals to respond in emergency situations and address factors that may contribute to susbtance misuse.

Early intervention programs

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s Health Promotion office provides a variety of early intervention programs aimed at helping students better understand substance use and signs of misuse. These programs provide structured environments that allow students to reflect on their relationship with substances, identify potentially harmful behaviors, learn harm reduction strategies and connect with support resources as needed. Workshops allow students, staff and faculty to engage with trained peers or professional staff.

The peer-led program, Buffs Discuss Substance Use, has been offered for several years. This free drop-in program connects students with trained undergraduate students at various campus locations to discuss substance use habits and how it may be impacting them at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder. During the 2022-23 academic year, 689 students attended a Buffs Discuss Susbtance Use peer-led workshop.

Naloxone distribution

While ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder has seen few incidents related to fentanyl, we understand that overdose incidents have had significant impacts to those involved on and off campus.Health Promotion has worked over the past several years to increase access to naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. Recent changes to legislation and over-the-counter designations have provided our campus with an opportunity to increase distribution on campus and in the community. Health Promotion has also helped promote the use of fentanyl test strips, which can detect fentanyl in a variety of substances, including counterfeit prescriptions.

During the 2022-23 academic year, Health Promotion distributed 2,675 fentanyl test strips and 944 boxes of naloxone (equivalent to 1,888 doses). The success of this program was led, in part, by the expansion of Health Promotion’s Buff Box program, which allows students to order free health supplies delivered directly to their residence hall. During spring 2023, the team introduced a new Safer Night Out Buff Box to provide students with free fentanyl test strips, naloxone and educational information about overdose prevention. During the spring semester, Health Promotion delivered 321 Safer Night out boxes to students living on campus. The additional doses of naloxone have been distributed directly through Health Promotion’s office, which is open to all ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder community members.

Community engagement

In addition to campus-driven programs, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder works alongside a variety of agencies and organizations across Boulder County, including Boulder County Public Health, the Substance Use Advisory Group, local law enforcement agencies and local organizations. These larger community partnerships allow our campus to share information, mobilize resources, provide timely communications and effectively respond to drug-related concerns and emergencies on and off campus.

Recovery

In the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021, 25.6% of young adults aged 18 to 25 reported having a substance use disorder (SUD). ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder is committed to supporting those who struggle with substance use through supportive, recovery-focused services that ensure our campus community can thrive.

The Collegiate Recovery Community (ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC) on campus provides community, support and connection for students, faculty and staff in recovery or seeking recovery from a wide range of behaviors, including substance use and abuse. They provide a variety of recovery-focused programs, including support meetings, community meetings, substance-free social events, acudetox, recovery-focused sober housing and more. The ŷ��ڱ��ƵCRC has had over 2,500 interactions with students, staff and faculty throughout the 2022-23 academic year.

Plans for the 2023-24 academic year

Health Promotion and ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder plan to continue efforts related to overdose prevention by prioritizing access to naloxone, early intervention programs, recovery support, training opportunities and campus education. By employing and expanding these programs, we hope to provide broader support for students, staff and faculty members for years to come.

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder is committed to preparing students, staff and faculty respond to the ongoing opioid crisis. Learn more about program impact and future plans for the upcoming academic year.

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4 ways to look out for your friends this weekend

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:27:15 +0000

4 ways to look out for your friends this weekend Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/07/2023 - 10:27

De-stressing and letting loose with friends can be fun. However, it’s also important to keep your group together and ensure everyone makes it home safely. Here are some ways you can look out for your friends this weekend.

1. Nail down your plans

Who’s in your group? Identify who you want to go out with, and make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of what parties you want to attend or houses you want to go to. It’s usually best to choose a group of friends that you know will take care of you even if you’ve had too much to drink.

Check in with each other. It’s also important to establish a way to check in with each other throughout the night. Save each other’s cell phone numbers and consider starting a group chat, so you can communicate with each other in case someone needs help. You may also want to make sure that everyone has their sound on, so they don’t miss any important notifications from the group.

Share your location. Finally, make sure everyone knows where you’re all going. Google and Apple Maps are a great way to make sure everyone ends up where they’re supposed to be. If you do get separated, try using the “share my location” feature with the group, so they can find you and regroup. If plans change, make sure everyone knows and is in agreement.

2. Keep each other accountable

If you’re planning to drink (or use substances), make a commitment to watch out for each other and keep each other accountable. It can be helpful to set a limit before you go out, so your friends know when they may need to step in. In fact, 91% of students find it acceptable to let a friend know when they’ve had too much to drink.

You may also want to make an agreement with your group about discouraging each other from doing embarrassing or dangerous things at parties. For instance, if someone wants to ‘table smash’ you may want to pull them aside to share your concerns or pull them into a different activity. Similarly, if someone has drunk too much, it’s likely time to switch out their drinks for water or help them get home.

3. Know your out

Create a code word, sign or text emoji that means ‘get me out of this situation!’ Proactively keep an eye out for sketchy situations, especially if someone is intoxicated and may not be able to communicate their discomfort with the group.

This can include things like someone pursuing one of your friends in an unwanted or predatory way. Watch for people who hit on the drunkest person at a party, encourage others to drink, try to get a drunk person alone or away from their friends or are persistent about pursuing someone sexually.

4. Get home safe

Make sure everyone gets home safely.

Commit to not ditching someone if they have too much to drink or become unwilling to stick with your plans to stay together. Consider whether someone offering to walk a person home or look after someone who has had too much to drink is trustworthy and being helpful or is potentially looking for access to someone who is vulnerable.

Never leave someone behind with casual friends, people you just met or don’t know very well, especially when someone has been drinking or using other substances.

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ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder programs prepare students, staff and faculty to respond to opioid crisis

Early intervention programs

Naloxone distribution

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder programs prepare students, staff and faculty to respond to opioid crisis