Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Use/Abuse
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption causes a number of changes in behavior and physiology, and even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses, including sexual assault, vandalism, fights and incident of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of healthy lifestyle.
Amphetamines
Speed, methamphetamine and some diet pills can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors and loss of coordination, reduced appetite, irritability, panic and paranoia. Heavy users are prone to violence and psychotic behavior.
Anabolic Steroids
Steroid users often experience hypertension, cholesterol changes, liver cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne, premature stoppage of growth and reproductive side effects for both sexes.
Cannabis (Marijuana, Hashish)
The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time and reduce coordination and energy level. Users often have lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Cocaine/Crack
The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature, followed by depression. Crack, or freebase rock cocaine, is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pains, muscle spasms, convulsions and even death.
Hallucinogens
Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline and psilocybin (mushrooms) cause hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Delayed effects and flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencyclidine (PCP) affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries.
MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly)
Short term use of MDMA can cause increased tactile sensitivity, enhanced self-confidence, energy bursts feelings of peacefulness, acceptance and closeness with others, loss of inhibition, confusion, hallucinations, muscle tension, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased body temperature, dehydration, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills and sweating, impaired memory and learning. Long-term use of MDMA can lead to depression, sleep problems, liver and kidney damage, drug cravings, severe anxiety, paranoia, permanently impaired memory and ability to learn.
Opiates
Codeine, heroin, morphine and other opioid pain relievers cause the body to have diminished pain reactions, drowsiness, respiratory depression and arrest, nausea, confusion, constipation, and possibly coma or death.
For information on NCAA guidelines relating to controlled substance use, and the affects of use on athletic performance, please visit https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/6. DRUG POLICIES_6 18-13.pdf