The use of alcohol or drugs carries risks that can cause negative health effects. Learn more about the possible health risks.
Alcohol
This includes beer, distilled liquor, ethanol, and wine.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: High
- Psychological: High
Short-term risk and effects
- Impair judgment and vision
- Lowered inhibitions
- Loss of motor skills and coordination
- Slurred speech
Long-term risk and effects
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
- Liver damage
- Neurological damage
- Toxic psychosis
Overdose
- Coma
- Possible death
Cannabis
This includes hash oil, hashish, grass, marijuana, pot, and weed.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: High
- Psychological: High
Short-term risk and effects
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered inhibitions
- Poor concentration
- Reduced anxiety
- Sedation
- Slowed pulse and breathing
- Slurred speech
Long-term risk and effects
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Toxic psychosis
- Tremors
Overdose
- Blackouts
- Cold, clammy skin
- Coma
- Life-threatening withdrawal
- Possible death
- Respiratory depression and arrest
- Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol
Depressants
This includes barbiturates, benzodiazepine, date rape drugs, liquid ecstasy, flunitrazepam, GHB, methaqualone, special K, and Xanax.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: high
- Psychological: high
Short-term risk and effects
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Feeling of irritability
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered inhibitions
- Poor concentration
- Reduced anxiety
- Sedation
- Slowed pulse and breathing
- Slurred speech
Long-term risk and effects
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Toxic psychosis
- Tremors
Overdose
- Blackouts
- Cold, clammy skin
- Coma
- Life-threatening withdrawal
- Possible death
- Respiratory depression and arrest
- Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol
Hallucinogens
This includes acid, angel dust, crystal, LSD, MDA, mescaline, mushrooms, PCP, peyote, phencyclidine, and psilocybin.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: low/unknown
- Psychological: unknown
Short-term risk and effects
- Altered state of perception
- Increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Numbness
- Sleeplessness
- Tremors
- Weakness
Long-term risk and effects
- Hallucination Persisting Disorder (flashbacks)
- Intensify existing psychosis
- Violent behavior
Overdose
- Intense, prolonged hallucinations
- Possible sudden death
- Psychosis
Inhalants
This includes gases and solvents.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: High for chronic, long-term abuse
- Psychological: High for chronic, long-term abuse
Short-term risk and effects
- Impaired judgement
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
Long-term risk and effects
- Cardiovascular and nervous system damage, leading to inability to walk, talk, or think
- Cramps
- Depression
- Loss of muscle tone
- Memory impairment
- Mild withdrawal
- Muscle wasting and weakness
- Weight loss
Overdose
- Coma
- Possible sudden death
- Possible toxic reaction
- Unconsciousness
Narcotics
This includes codeine, Demerol, HCL, heroin, meperidine, morphine, opium, Oxycodone, and Vicodin.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: high
- Psychological: high
Short-term risk and effects
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Nausea
- Pain relief
- Sedation
- Staggering gait
Long-term risk and effects
- AIDS and Hepatitis infection
- Malnutrition
Overdose
- Clammy skin
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Death
- Respiratory arrest
- Shallow perspirations
- Tolerance, addiction
- Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol
Stimulants
This includes amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA, methylphenidate, phenmetrazine, and Ritalin.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: possible
- Psychological: high
Short-term risk and effects
- Appetite loss
- Excitement and euphoria
- Feeling of well being
- Increased alertness, blood pressure, pulse
- Insomnia
Long-term risk and effects
- Insomnia
- Nervous system damage
- Organ/tissue damage
- Paranoia
- Weight loss
Overdose
- Agitation
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Heart attack, stroke
- High blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Temperature increase
Tobacco
This includes chewing/smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, and nicotine.
Potential for dependence
- Physical: high
- Psychological: high
Short-term risk and effects
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in mouth
- Decreased lung capacity
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
Long-term risk and effects
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
Overdose
- Possible death
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ is committed to providing a drug-free workplace. In response to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the University has established the following policy designed to create a drug-free environment. The University expects the cooperation and commitment of all employees in maintaining a drug-free workplace.
The University does not accept nor condone the inappropriate use of a controlled substance by any individual employed by the University. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in University facilities is prohibited. Any employee who violates the drug- free workplace policy may be subject to discipline, up to an including termination. All individuals employed by the university must abide by the policy. Any employee, who is convicted of a criminal drug statue violation arising out of conduct in the workplace, must notify his department head within five days of the conviction.
National Crisis Line - 988
Southwestern Behavior Healthcare
- Phone: 24/7 Crisis Line 812-422-1100
- Website: Ìý
Services
- Crisis Line - answered 24/7, connects individuals with staff who can assist with coping skills and link to resources.Ìý
- Stabilization Unit - A safe place where visitors can spend up to 23 hours deciding next steps and receiving assistance getting there.
- Mobile Response - A team that co-responds with community partners to meet with and assist people in crisis
Brentwood Springs
- Phone: 24/7 Line 812-858-7200
- Website:ÌýÌý
Services
- Emergency Mental Health Services - inpatient and outpatientÌý
- Detox Program
- Inpatient or out patient rehab
- Adolescent Programs 13-17
Counseling and Psychological Services
- Phone:Ìý812-464-1867
- Website:Ìý/counseling-and-psychological-servicesÌý
Timely CareÌý
- Website:
SAMHSA's National Helpline
- Phone: 800-662-4357
- Website: Ìý
Counseling for Change
- Phone: 812-491-2615
- Website: Ìý
Adapt CounselingÌý
- Phone:812-421-9900
- Website: Ìý
New Visions Counseling
- Phone: 812-422-6812
- Website: Ìý
Alcoholics Anonymous
- Phone: 812-434-4952Ìý
- Website: Ìý
Narcotics Anonymous
- Phone: 877-642-5831
- Website: Ìý
Al-Anon
- Phone: 888-425-2666
- Website: Ìý
Nar-Anon
- Phone: 800-477-6291
- Website: Ìý
Quit Now Indiana – Indiana Tobacco Quit Line
- Phone: 800-784-8669
- Website: Ìý
Smokefree.gov
- Website: Ìý
Vanderburgh County Health Department - Free from Smoking Program
- Phone: 812-435-2400
- Website: Ìý
Work Consequences
Depending on the severity of a violation, the degree of involvement of the employee and the individual circumstances of each case, the resulting action could include:
- Referral to the Employee Assistance Program for evaluation and assessment
- Participation in a drug rehabilitation program
- Suspension from University duty; and/or
- Termination of employment and/or referral for prosecution.
Legal Consequences