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How to stay healthy Men's Health Women's Health Resources Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs Immunization requirements Personal safety

Alcohol, Caffeine, Tobacco, & Other Drugs Alcohol Drugs Tobacco Caffeine Other Drugs Take advantage of the several pamphlets and informational programs presented throughout the year by Health Services and other MCC departments. Alcohol College + Alcohol + Other Drugs = Missed Classes   Lower Grades Loss of Funds for Your Education Poor Judgment Physical Problems Emotional Problems Damaged Relationships Violence and Criminal behavior Loss of YOUR Future The use of alcohol on college campuses is very common, but unfortunately, so is the abuse of alcohol. Alcohol abuse includes binge drinking, drinking to get drunk, and alcoholism which is not uncommon among college students. Alcohol abuse is also at the root of other common college dangers including acquaintance rape, motor vehicle accidents, assault, and alcohol poisoning. If you suspect alcohol poisoning or drug overdose CALL 2911 (or click to EMERGENCY page) Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency and can lead to death if treatments is not started quickly. A person will not "sleep it off". Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: inability or difficulty waking a person up; pale or bluish tinge to the skin; slow or irregular breathing. For more information about alcohol poisoning go to www.bacchusgamma.org/alcohol-poisoning.asp If you are concerned that you or a friend may have a problem with alcohol, contact Health Services or the following resources. Call: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-ALCOHOL National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information: 1-800-729-6686 Drug Abuse If you suspect a drug overdose - Call 2911 (or click to EMERGENCY page) Health Risks As part of the effort to create a drug-free campus, Monroe Community College believes that the college community should be educated about the physical and emotional health hazards the misuse of drugs and alcohol presents. MCC provides information and educational programs on substance abuse throughout the year to students, faculty, and staff. Listed below are some of the health risks associated with using/abusing alcohol and various drugs. (Please note that the dangers associated with substance abuse are not limited to only the conditions listed below.) Substances & Known Health Risks Alcohol: Heart and liver damage; brain damage; death from overdose and accidents. Marijuana/Hashish: Impaired memory perception, interference with psychological maturation, possible damage to lungs and heart, psychological dependence. Cocaine: Intense psychological dependence, sleeplessness and anxiety, nasal passage damage, lung damage, and death from overdose. Stimulants: Loss of appetite, hallucinations, paranoia, convulsions, brain damage, cancers of the lung, throat, mouth, death from overdose. Depressants: Infection, addiction, loss of appetite, death from overdose, nausea, and has severe interaction with alcohol. Narcotics: Addiction with severe withdrawal symptoms, loss of appetite, death from overdose. Hallucinogens: Anxiety, depression, impaired memory, emotional breakdown, death from overdose. Inhalants: Drastic weight loss, brain damage, liver and bone marrow damage, high risk of sudden death. Taking any drug can have serious consequences on your life, your family, and friends. All have a variety of street names. All are addictive. All can kill. The abuse of prescription medications such as oxycontin and hydrocodone have increased dramatically in the past few years. Addiction to pain relievers, like oxycontin which is in Percodan and hydrocodone in Vicodan, often begins with prescribed use, but becomes abuse when the user takes the drug for the way it makes them feel, eventually becoming physically addicted. The ready availability of these medications and their highly addictive nature make these drugs very dangerous to college students who may consider experimenting. Health Services has many informational materials available. For More Information call: National Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663 Or online: www.drughelp.org Tobacco Tobacco products contain some of the most addictive substances known to man. This and the social aspects of smoking make in a very difficult addiction to quit. If you do not smoke or chew, strongly consider the consequences if you start. If you do smoke or chew, consider the benefits of quitting. These include: Cost: cigarettes are up to $5.00 a pack, this is money that could be used for something you really want or need. Tobacco smoke stinks and stains your teeth. Chew stains your teeth and makes your breath smell awful. Health risks: Smokers can’t run, they even have trouble climbing a flight of stairs. Smoking and chewing tobacco cause cancer of the lung and jaw. That is a FACT! Quit Smoking!                   Thinking About Stopping Smoking? Pick up the phone and call: New York State Smokers' Quitline 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487) NYS Smokers' Quitsite - http://www.nysmokefree.com Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant that affects different people to different degrees. Be aware of what that friendly one, two or three cups of coffee, tea or cola can do. Know what products contain caffeine and which products affect you the most. Know your limits. If you are having difficulty sleeping, have no caffeinated products after 6 pm. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002579.htm#Definition   Other Drugs Prescription Medicine, “Over the Counter" Medication, and Herbal remedies are DRUGS Before taking any medications educate yourself. All medications have side effects and in some cases the side effects can outweigh the benefit of the medication. Ask your Doctor and Pharmacist, read the product information, or do your own research. Only you should decide if you want this drug. Herbal remedies, while "natural," contain many of the same active ingredients and therefore the same risks as medications that are available by prescription or over the counter in pharmacies. Vitamins, minerals, and supplements contain many of the same ingredients that are in the foods we eat. Some are harmless and may be helpful, while others can be quite dangerous overloading our bodies ability to process these agents. Unfortunately, there is very little scientific research on the safety and effectiveness of herbal remedies and supplements. Be cautious and become informed before trying these products. QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE TAKING MEDICATION What is it? How will it help me????????????? What is it made of? How much do I take? When? How? What can I do or not do while taking this medication? What other drugs or foods should I take or not take with this medicine? Online resources: Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine    www.nccam.nih.gov

Questions on Health Services? email healthsvc@monroecc.edu