Health Risks Associated with the Use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol is a prime contributor to suicide, homicide, motor vehicle deaths, and other unintended deaths. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to more than 54,000 deaths annually in the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs). Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol dependence, premature death through overdose, alcohol-related stroke, and complications involving the brain, heart, liver, and many other body organs. Alcohol abuse also causes liver disease, gastritis, and anemia, as well as cancers of the esophagus and larynx.
Alcohol used in any amount by a pregnant woman can cause birth defects and permanent brain damage to the child. Drug use by a pregnant woman may cause addiction or health complications in her unborn child.
Alcohol abuse interferes with psychological functions, causes interpersonal difficulties, and is involved in most cases of child abuse. Substance abuse disrupts work, reduces motivation, causes legal and financial problems, and social and family problems.
The abuse of illicit drugs can result in a wide range of health problems. In general, illicit drug use can result in drug addiction, death by overdose, death from withdrawals, seizure, heart problems, infections (e.g., HIV/AIDS, hepatitis), liver disease, and chronic brain dysfunction.
Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy). The use of prescription medications by anyone other than the prescribed individual is illegal and dangerous. Known health risks for inappropriate or illegal use are listed in the National Institute of Drug Abuse, Health Consequences of Drug Misuse.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking results in more than 480,000 premature deaths in the United States each year – about 1 in every 5 U.S. deaths – and an additional 16 million people suffer with a serious illness caused by smoking. In fact, for very one person who dies from smoking, about 30 more suffer from at least one serious tobacco-related illness.
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm
Other problems associated with alcohol and drug use include the following psychological dysfunctions: dependency, memory loss, hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis.
For additional health risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse visit:
For more information about health risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse contact Jennifer Quinn, Director of Alcohol & Drug Prevention Education at jquinn@worcester.edu or 508-929-8243.
Tobacco-Free Campus
Worcester State University is a tobacco-free campus the use of tobacco products of any kind, including any nicotine-delivery system, will not be permitted in or on WSU-owned or -leased property, including buildings, residence halls, grounds, community garden, athletic fields, walkways, parking lots, bus stops, and parked vehicles on campus grounds. (Nicotine replacement therapy is permitted.) This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, and contractors.
Marijuana eCheckup To Go
A personalize, evidence based online intervention and prevention program designed to reduce marijuana use among college students. It is designed to help motivate students to reduce their level of use using personalized information about their own behavior and risk factors.
Learn more: http://interwork.sdsu.edu/echeckup/usa/mj/coll/worcester/
BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students)
BASICS is an evidence-based intervention program that helps students examine their own alcohol use. Students may self-refer or be referred through the student-conduct process.
Screening for Mental Health
This website includes additional anonymous brief screenings for alcohol and substance abuse.
Learn more: http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/worcesterstate
Tobacco Cessation: Tobacco-Free Campus
The Director of Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education, Jen Quinn is a certified tobacco treatment specialist and available to assist students in quitting.