Party smarter: How to navigate college parties
During your time at CU, you may find yourself at social events or parties that have alcohol or other substances. This guide offers practical tips and advice to help you navigate parties and stay safe.听听听
1. Choose your own adventure听听
It's easy to assume that everyone drinks in college. However, this stereotype doesn鈥檛 hold true. You know better than anyone what fun means to you. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important for you to actively choose to have the experience that you want.听听
If you choose not to drink or use substances, that鈥檚 okay. This doesn鈥檛 mean you have to miss out on social events or parties either. In fact, 96% of 精品SM在线影片 students surveyed support not drinking at parties.听
If you鈥檙e curious about your relationship with a specific substance and are not wanting to meet with anyone, get anonymous online feedback related to听,听听and/or听.听
2. Set limits听听
Limits aren鈥檛 just about how many drinks you have or substances you use. They can include a variety of strategies that can help you have wanted experiences and avoid unwanted experiences. Here are a few examples of limits you may set for yourself:听听
听听Your social circle: Alcohol or other drug use can make anyone more vulnerable to unwanted experiences. If you鈥檙e invited out, be thoughtful about who you surround yourself with. Choose people you trust and who will look out for you, and try to make a plan before you go out together. For instance, you may want to ensure everyone is on the same page about sticking together or helping each other get home safely. This can be particularly important if you are new to campus.听听
听听Types of parties: What kinds of parties do you want to attend? In some cases, you may not be willing to go to large gatherings or participate in party-hopping. Let your group know if you aren鈥檛 comfortable or want to find a different party to go to.听听
听听Party duration: Knowing when it鈥檚 time to leave can help ensure that you maintain control over your night. If you鈥檙e ready to go, check in with your group to ensure everyone makes it home safely and nobody gets left behind.听听听
听听Frequency: Parties are common, especially on the weekends. Setting limits around if and how often you drink, use substances or attend parties can help ensure that you avoid burnout and potential impacts in other areas of your life, like academic performance, extracurriculars and relationships. Consider limiting the number of events you attend each week or month.听听
听听Amount consumed: This is one of the most common limits people set for themselves. Keep in mind that substances affect everyone differently and knowing your limit is a learning process. Your limit may look different from those around you, and that鈥檚 okay. If you鈥檙e not sure what your limit is, start small. For instance, you can take a break between drinks to see how they make you feel before having more. Consider enlisting a friend to help you stick to a limit that works for you.听
One other thing to note: if you used alcohol or other substances before college, your usual tolerance might not hold up here. Your body gets used to familiar settings, but in a new environment like campus, the same amount can hit harder. Knowing that can help you stay safe and avoid unwanted effects.
3. Master the art of saying 鈥淚'm good, thanks鈥澨听
Whether you鈥檙e trying to avoid peer pressure or leave a party, consider potential strategies before you go out so you鈥檙e better prepared to use them. Here are some examples you can use:听
听听Avoiding peer pressure听听听听
- Fill your cup with water or a non-alcoholic beverage to show that you already have a drink and don鈥檛 need a refill.听听听
- Choose to participate in other activities that aren鈥檛 as focused on drinking, such as watching others play games or getting to know other people at the party.听听
- Rely on your friends to help you if someone is being pushy about drinks or other substances. They may be able to intervene or redirect the situation, especially if you鈥檙e struggling to do it yourself.听
听听Leaving a party听听听听
- Before you attend a party or gathering, plan how you鈥檒l get home. Make sure your friend group is on the same page, your phones are charged and you have enough money for transportation if needed.听 听听
- If you鈥檙e feeling uncomfortable or want to go home, confide in your trusted friends. Let them know you鈥檙e ready to leave and ask someone to go with you.听 听听
- You can always make up an excuse to get out of the party. It鈥檚 okay to say you have work in the morning, your roommate got locked out or you aren鈥檛 feeling well. Do what you need to take care of yourself.听
Remember that your friends should always respect your decisions to slow down, stop or leave. If you鈥檙e feeling pressured by members of your group, consider seeking out another person you know to help you out of the situation.听 听听
4. Stick to one substance at a time听听
Using more than one substance at a time, including alcohol, medication or other drugs, can increase your risk of experiencing an overdose. The interactions between substances are often unpredictable and may impact you more than others. For this reason, use only one substance at a time.听听听
5. Be prepared for emergencies听听
Sometimes things can go badly or take an unexpected turn. This can include a person experiencing alcohol poisoning or an accidental overdose at a party. Knowing how to respond and get the person help can save their life.听 听听
听听If an emergency situation unfolds, here鈥檚 what you can do:听听听
Watch for these signs:听听
- Passed out or unresponsive听听听
- Slow or no breathing听听听
- Vomiting while passed out听听听
- Involuntary peeing or pooping听听听
- Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin听听听
- Pinpoint (small) pupils听听听
- Making gurgling, wheezing or snoring sounds听
How to respond:听听听
- 听Immediately call 911 and wait for help to arrive.听听听
- Make sure the person is in a safe area to avoid injury.听听听
- Turn the person on their side and put them in the .听听听
- Administer naloxone (even if you鈥檙e unsure about their condition).听听
- Never leave a severely intoxicated person alone or with someone who is not a trusted friend.听
Important policies to know:听听听
Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion).听 听听
To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:听听听听听
- Call for help (911 or university staff).听 听听
- Stay with the individual until help arrives.听 听听
- Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.听
听
A person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when they report, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose to a law enforcement officer, the 911 system or a medical provider.听 听听听
This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer, or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.听
6. Look out for others听听
If you鈥檙e at a party or out with friends, it鈥檚 important to keep an eye out for sketchy situations that may indicate that someone is trying to take advantage of another person through the use of alcohol or other drugs.听听听
The reality is that most听unwanted sexual contact听is carried out by friends, acquaintances, partners, exes or by a person someone has met online or at a party. Pushing substances onto someone or pursuing someone who is intoxicated can be a common tactic for committing sexual assault.听听听
Watch out for someone who is:听听听
- Coercing or pressuring someone to consume more alcohol or drugs than they are comfortable with.听听听
- Initiating sexual contact with someone because they are intoxicated and less likely to resist.听听听
- Isolating someone who has had too much to drink or is having a negative drug experience.听听听
- Not telling someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting.听听听
If you notice these signs, be prepared to intervene or interrupt, even if you aren鈥檛 sure you're reading the situation correctly. You may need to help reconnect them with trusted friends or enlist others to help ensure they can get home safely.听听听
Learn more about drug-facilitated sexual assault听听
College is an exciting journey, and making time for fun can truly enrich your experience. By practicing these strategies, you can stay safe, look out for your friends and make the most of every memorable night out. Learn more about how to party smart.听
Find support听
If you're looking to explore your relationship with substances, get naloxone or connect with a recovery community, 精品SM在线影片 has resources that can help.听 听听
All students can pick up free party smarter supplies, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips and more at the Health Promotion office at Wardenburg (third floor). Students living on campus can also order a free Buff Box with supplies that is delivered directly and discretely to their residence hall.听
Health Promotion offers free workshops to help students reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances.听听听
*Workshops are not considered therapy or substance abuse treatment.听
The CUCRC provides weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and other resources for those considering, pursuing or actively in recovery from drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm, other addictions and unwanted behaviors.听
CAPS provides several services related to substance use, including:听听听
- Substance use assessments听听听
- Brief individual therapy听听听
- Support for concerned friends and family members听听听
- Referrals to recovery and other community resources听听听
- Suboxone treatment听听听
*Confidential resource听
听OVA provides free and confidential听
- Consultation/Support听
- Advocacy听
- Short-term, trauma-focused counseling听
- Services for students, staff and faculty who have experienced and/or witnessed a traumatic or disturbing event, including predatory drugging, unwanted sexual contact and sexual assault.听听
*Confidential resource听
The Don鈥檛 Ignore It website provides information about reporting, getting support and helping a friend. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don鈥檛 ignore it.听
Student Legal Services is a dedicated law firm that provides support to eligible 精品SM在线影片 students facing legal issues, including:听听
- DUI/DWI听听
- MIP (minor in possession)听听
- Nuisance party听听
- Underage drinking听听
- Noise violation听听
- Open container听听
- Possession of drug paraphernalia听听
- Possession or distribution of prescription or recreational drugs听