Substance Use and Misuse

Let's make healthy decisions by first understanding substance use, common substances and their risks, signs of misuse and abuse. Resources are available to you.

What is substance use?

Substance use refers to the consumption, inhalation, or injection of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, prescription medications, opioids and other drugs.

There are a variety of reasons people use substances, including:

Social interaction
Recreation
Medicinal purposes
Stress relief
Coping

Substance use occurs on a continuum, and not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol misuses, abuses, or is dependent on them. However, there are potential adverse consequences associated with drinking alcohol and/or using drugs.

It’s important to be informed, intentional, and thoughtful about whether and how we engage in any form of substance use.

It’s also important to notice warning signs of misuse/abuse and to know how to access resources and support (for ourselves or others), if needed.

Be informed and have a plan.

Abstinence, or choosing not to use substances, is always an option. If you do choose to use substances, we encourage you to have a plan, understand substance-specific information, know the risks, learn available resources, and engage in healthy conversations about it.

Contact Us

Humanities, Room 150
One flight up the turret entrance
Phone: 410-617-CARE (2273)

Call to schedule an appointment
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Vector Mental Health Training

REACT Online

REACT is an online video that explains how to help yourself or someone you care about cope in healthy ways after a distressing life event (such as a trauma, assault, or loss).

How Can I Use Responsibly?

Harm reduction strategies will not eliminate the risks and potential consequences of substance use but may help you reduce harm if you choose to use them. Because there are many health and safety risks associated with drug and alcohol use, the safest option is to abstain from substance use. Some common and essential harm reduction strategies can include:

Nourish your body

When it comes to using alcohol, try to eat nutritious food and drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking. This will reduce hangover effects and slow the speed at which alcohol enters your bloodstream.

Skip pre-gaming

A common routine perceived to “get the night started” can lead to overconsumption at a fast pace. Start the night with water and food instead.

Space out your drinks

Taking sips of alcohol, pacing yourself, and alternating between water and alcohol can slow down the effects of alcohol on your body.

Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol

Consuming drugs, including many prescription medications, and alcohol together stresses your heart and liver and can lead to overdose.

Use with trusted people in a safe place

Only consume or use substances with people you trust and in a familiar and safe place. This will help you feel more in control of your surroundings.

Plan and partner up

Prepare in advance a safe and secure transportation plan and always have a trusted buddy and accountability partner to reduce substance-altered decision making.

Beware of withdrawal

If you stop using drugs and alcohol all together, and you’re experiencing shakes, seizures, vomiting, hallucinations, or suicidal ideation, seek emergency help.

Protect your beverage

Know the contents of your beverage by opening your own drink container, being cautious about drinks poured from a shared/open container, observing when your drink is being prepared by someone else – even a bartender, or asking someone you trust to watch your drink if you step away.

Potential Signs of Misuse and Abuse

Whether it’s our own behavior or the behavior of others, substance misuse or abuse can sometimes be difficult to spot or determine. This is partly because downplaying or minimizing abuse or trying to hide it can, in itself, be one of the symptoms of misusing substances. Below, you’ll find some (not all) of the behavioral, emotional, and physical signs that someone might be misusing alcohol or drugs:

stylized vector line art of an angry person

Behavioral Signs

Absence from work, school, and social engagements; Increasingly withdrawn or secretive about one’s activities; Financial difficulties; Legal problems; Disrupted sleep; Relationship issues

stylized vector line art of an anxious person

Emotional Signs

Denial; Irritable or argumentative; Defensiveness; Difficulty coping with stress without using drugs or alcohol; Brain fog and confusion; Loss of interest in normal activities; Avoiding discussion of the topic; Feeling frequent shame about current substance use

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Physical Signs

Change in eating habits; Overly energetic or lack of energy; Weight loss; Dilated pupils or red eyes; Excessive sniffing and runny nose; Clammy or dulling complexion

Know Your Substances

Below, you’ll find some important facts and information about various substances to be aware of as you make your own decisions about your use.

Alcohol

Information about standard drink sizes and measurements from the CDC can be found here.
BAC (Blood Alcohol Content): BAC increases with each drink and is impacted differently based on weight, sex, and food intake. There are a lot of resources that consider consumption based on the gender binary, and more research is needed considerig the experience of non-binary and trans folx. Research does show that, regardless of gender identity, levels of estrogen and testosterone may impact the metabolism of alcohol.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning can be looked for by remembering the acronym C.U.P.S.
- People suffering from alcohol poisoning may be Cold, Unconscious, Puking, and Slow Breathing
- Call Loyola Public Safety at 410-617-5911
- Use a calm tone when communicating with the victim as well as any support services
- Be sure to position the victim on their side to avoid choking and keep their airway open
- Offering support to someone who is struggling can be emotionally and physically draining. Be sure to prioritize your own self care after you experience an incident.

Cannabis

THC is the mind-altering compound in the cannabis plant. There is a higher potency of THC in vapes and edibles.
Edibles can take up to 90 minutes to begin to take effect and last longer. If used, it is recommended not to exceed one dose in 24 hours.
Risks of cannabis use include heightened anxiety, panic attacks or psychosis, and long-term/heavy use may lead to dependence
Cannabis, in all forms, impairs driving and memory
IMPORTANT: Know your source and be cautious of synthetic cannabis

Prescription Medications

IMPORTANT: Just because it’s prescribed for someone, doesn’t mean it is safe for you.
Consider possible risks and interactions with other medications.
Misuse of stimulants like amphetamines can lead to serious medical complications including heart problems, seizures, panic attacks, paranoia, violent behavior, or emotional distress.
Counterfeit pills may look legit, but often contain fentanyl
Risks include overdose, dependency, and withdrawal
May cause dangerous interactions when mixed with alcohol or other drugs

Opioid Drugs

Even the smallest amount of opioids can cause overdose or fatal overdose
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid significantly linked to rising rates of drug overdose deaths
Know the signs of an opioid overdose:
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Doesn’t respond to stimuli like shouting, a pinch or sternum rub
- Slow, weak or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Naloxone: A life-saving medication that can be administered when a potential opioid overdose is suspected.