Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week: Party Safely

Posted on by healthyntu8

This week is Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week. One of our Student Mental Health Champions has shared their harm reduction advice around drugs.

Party Safely

Know your limits: Harm Reduction Tips when Experimenting with Substances  

We all like to party right? Starting university opens thousands of opportunities to meet new people and experience new things – this is where a lot of people can be exposed to drugs. 

If you’re in a situation where you consider experimenting with drugs, it’s essential to prioritize your safety and well-being. It may even be when you’ve been drinking alcohol, where you get offered to try substances you have – or haven’t – tried before (this is where you need to keep your wits about you).  You don’t know what you could be taking!  You never know the purity levels and ingredients of the drug you are taking, and this is what’s so so so important to understanding harm reduction to yourself – and others! I will provide in this blog, some top tips to keep safe if you decide to experiment with drugs.

Know what you’re taking and where it’s come from! 

Never accept drugs from strangers or if offered for free! (Let’s be real, drugs are expensive so no one will willingly offer you it for free without an intention behind it). The same drugs can vary massively in levels of purity and the ingredients used – even if you’ve taken it before doesn’t mean what you’re consuming is the exact same as what you have taken previously. You can buy testing kits to confirm purity levels to make sure you are safe!  Also, take some time to research online sites, like Talk to FRANK, that provide information on dos and don’ts and recognising warning signs where something may not be quite right!  Mixing with alcohol or other substances can cause your body to react differently so it’s often best to consume things separately.

Start small!  

Don’t ever feel pressured to consume amounts you aren’t comfortable with. Regardless of whether you have tried a type of drug before (or if it’s a new/ familiar batch) ALWAYS START SMALL. As mentioned above, you never know how strong, or what else could be mixed in with the substance you’re taking. Starting small can allow you to minimize harm, get a sense of how quickly your body is reacting, and most importantly, reduce the risk of overdosing.  

Take care of basic needs – drink water and eat well 

A lot of drugs can cause dehydration so it’s essential to keep drinking water to balance this out. Consuming both alcohol and substances on an empty stomach can also worsen side effects so do make sure to eat a meal before you go out. After the effects have worn off, let your body process, recover, relax, stay hydrated and eat well!!

Have company! 

Being with people you trust can be crucial in cases of emergency. Things may not go as you hoped, so having someone there can reduce your risk of harm. Always keep your phone with you in case you may be alone. Prioritizing your well-being is important, especially in cases where you mix substances, and your ability to judge and react is impaired, which could lead to negative side effects and dangerous situations.

What support services are available to me? 

Seeking help, or just information can be incredibly beneficial. On Thursdays from 2-4 pm, there is a weekly confidential drugs & alcohol drop-in, in the Den, Newton, City campus, run by The Place – Change Grow Live. This is a confidential service that is external to the university and can provide advice, information, and support. There are also other support services available such as:  

So, I hope these tips are useful and have provided you with insights into the realities of experimenting with drugs. Never feel pressured to take drugs or take larger amounts than you are comfortable with. Know where they have come from, avoid mixing substances, have company, and take care of your basic needs. Consuming drugs can expose you to risks, but knowing these tips can be crucial in reducing harm! We all love to let loose and have fun, but prioritise your safety-first.

Visit out Drugs and Alcohol page on the Healthy NTU SharePoint

For help, advice and resources whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Self-Care books in NTU’s libraries
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Health and Wellbeing resources
NTSU Information and Advice service
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Student Minds or Student Space
10 Keys to happiness
Mind
Papyrus
CALM

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