How much do you know about the AOD use at UCSD?  Did you know that in a recent survey, UCSD students highly overestimated the actual frequency of drinking and substance use of other students?*  Results from this study indicate a strong need to educate the campus community on the prevalence of AOD abuse issues and disorders.

This section on Alcohol and Other Drug Use provides information regarding how to get support, treatment, and/or referral to those have questions or concerns about their AOD use and habits .

* UCSD Core Survey, Executive Summary, 2000.

Do any of these Questions apply to Your Life?

• Do you drink or use other drugs in order to help you feel more comfortable around people?

• Have you been spending time with people you don't really care for just because of alcohol or other drugs?

• Have you had problems at school or work (lateness, missing classes, errors, etc.) due to drinking or other drug use?

• Is your drinking or other drug use having a negative effect on your relationships?

• Has your alcohol and/or other drug use led you to take dangerous risks?

• Do you ever drink or use other drugs in order to escape worries?

• Have you ever thought you should cut back on your drinking or other drug use?

• Have you ever lied about your drinking or other drug use?

• Has anyone ever showed concern over your drinking or other drug use?

• Have you ever had disciplinary or legal consequences due to your drinking or other drug use? 

If some (or several) of the answers to these questions is "Yes", then you may have a problem with alcohol or other substances.  You may want to consider talking with one of our therapists to explore this further.  Please refer to our "Here's How We Can Help" section below.

Top 10 Myths about Alcohol

Have you ever heard the Top Myths about Alcohol?

1.    Myth: Alcohol improves my sexual performance.

Fact: Although you may think that drinking makes you better in bed, psychologically alcohol reduces your performance.

2.    Myth: I can drink and still be in control.

Fact: Drinking impairs your judgment, which increases the likelihood that you will do something you'll later regret such as having unprotected sex, being involved in date rape, damaging property, or being victimized by others.

3. Myth: Drinking isn't all that dangerous.

Fact: One in three 18 to 24 year olds admitted to emergency rooms for serious injuries are intoxicated. And alcohol is also associated with homicides, suicides, and drowning.

4.    Myth: I can sober up quickly if I have to.

Fact: It takes about 3 hours to eliminate the alcohol content of two drinks, depending on your weight. Nothing can speed up this process - not even coffee or cold showers.

5.    Myth: It's ok for me to drink to keep up with my male friends.

Fact: Women process alcohol differently. No matter how much he drinks, if you drink the same amount as your boyfriend, you will be more intoxicated and more impaired.

6.    Myth: There is no point in postponing drinking until I'm over 21.

Fact: Research shows that the longer you postpone drinking, the less likely you are to ever experience alcohol-related problems.

7.    Myth: I can manage to drive well enough after a few drinks.

Fact: About one-half of all fatal traffic crashes among 18 to 24 year olds involve alcohol. Your impairment is related to your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Depending on your weight, you can have a BAC of 0.02% after only one drink, which can slow your reaction time and make it difficult to concentrate on two things simultaneously. A BAC of 0.03% can significantly impair your steering. At 0.04% your vision begins to focus on the center of the road and you cannot respond as well to street signs, traffic signals and pedestrians. By 0.05% your driving will be noticeably erratic, especially to the police.

8.    Myth: I'd be better off if I learn to "hold my liquor."

Fact: If you have to drink increasingly larger amounts of alcohol to get a "buzz" or get "high," you are developing tolerance. This increases your vulnerability to many serious problems, including alcoholism.

9.    Myth: I have to drink to fit in.

Fact: Your peers don't drink as much as you think they do. A recent survey of more than 44,000 college students shows that most students drink little or no alcohol on a weekly basis.

10.    Myth: Beer doesn't have as much alcohol as hard liquor.

Fact: A 12-ounce bottle of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a standard shot of 80-proof liquor (either straight or in a mixed drink) or 5 ounces of wine.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - (National Institute of Health) -2002

If you feel you or a friend might have a problem with alcohol, you can take a confidential online mental health assessment by clicking here. If you would like to speak with a counselor, please call us at 858-534-3755 to make an appointment.