Alcohol and Other Drug Emergencies
Some common signs of a possible substance-related issue are changes in mood, behavior or appearance; sleeping or eating too much or too little; grades slipping, attendance problems; nodding off or displaying manic behavior; defensive or secretive affect.
If a student seems to display a chronic problem related to alcohol or drugs, but no emergency, call the Wellness Exchange for guidance on how to encourage the student to get the help they need.
Faculty and Staff Outreach to Students with Alcohol or Other Drug Problems
The acronym RAGS can be a helpful tool for talking to students about their alcohol and drug use, and encouraging a student to reflect on his/her relationship with a substance. A student could be encouraged to ask him/herself the following questions:
Have you ever felt you should…Reduce your substance use?
Have you ever felt…Annoyed by others criticizing your substance use?
Have you ever felt…Guilty about using a substance?
Have you ever needed a substance to…Start your day?
Answering yes to two or more questions may indicate an unhealthy relationship with substances. In this circumstance, consultation with a professional is recommended. Alcohol or other drug overdose symptoms vary widely depending on the specific drug(s) used, but may include the following:
- Abnormal pupil size
- Dilated pupils (enlarged)
- Pinpoint pupils (very small)
- Nonreactive pupils (pupils do not change size when exposed to light)
- Sweating
- Agitation
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Staggering or unsteady gait (ataxia)
- Difficulty breathing
- Shallow, decreased breathing (respiratory depression)
- Labored breathing
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Drowsiness
- Unconsciousness (coma)
- Hallucinations
- Delusional or paranoid behavior
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Death
Alcohol or other drug withdrawal symptoms also vary widely depending on the specific drug(s) used, but may include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Agitation
- Cold sweat
- Convulsions
- Delusions
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness
- Shaking
- Death
Encouraging students to get help can make all the difference. If a student displays any signs or symptoms of overdose or withdrawal, please treat as a medical emergency and dial 911 and then immediately call the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 for further consultation and assistance.
The University may make accommodations for students who seek emergency considerations for alcohol and other drug related issues. See document below:
New York University Policies on Substance Abuse and Alcoholic Beverages 2007-2008
Health and Safety-Related Emergency Considerations for Students
The University recognizes that there may be health or safety emergencies related to alcohol or substance use in which the potential for judicial action by the University may serve as a deterrent to students who want to seek assistance for themselves or others in the NYU community.
Please know that NYU's first priority is the health and safety of all its students. We therefore strongly encourage students to act responsibly when faced with a potential health emergency and/or substance-related medical concern by getting help for themselves or friends whenever they feel that their health and/or safety is at risk.
Because the University has a concern and responsibility for preserving the wellbeing of all members of our community, all issues of substance abuse must be addressed. Given this important responsibility, while it is impossible to guarantee that no action will be taken should such an incident be reported, the University can consider a variety of formal responses to an incident. Accordingly, the University typically will not impose any judicial/disciplinary action for students who voluntarily request assistance for themselves or others in relation to a health and/or safety concern involving alcohol or substance use. In these instances, the University will likely address the possession and/or use of the substance by requiring health and mental health evaluations, and/or educational interventions for the appropriate parties involved. However, should a student who requests assistance in such a situation also have engaged in any related illegal or violative actions such as vandalism, injury to others, or distribution of drugs, that behavior will not be exempt from judicial action. Furthermore, students also are advised that, in the absence of extraordinary circumstances, this dispensation will be applicable one time only. Should that same student be involved in any subsequent incidents involving alcohol/substance issues, the matter will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and the University may utilize the full range of available responses, including health, educational, and administrative interventions as well as judicial/disciplinary sanctions, to address the possession and/or use of such substances.
In formulating its response to any incident of alcohol/substance abuse, the University will always consider, on a case-by-case basis, the unique nature of the incident and the roles of those who may have been involved. In particular, one's willingness to intervene in medical emergencies and/or to be proactive in addressing a serious substance issue, in spite of his/her concerns about the potential consequences of disciplinary action, will be taken into strong consideration. Other influential factors may include the student's prior judicial history, access to a responsible social support network (parents, adult siblings, etc.), willingness to access resources, and openness to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the behavior(s) in question. Given the nature of the situation, the circumstances of those involved, and the interests of the University community, every effort will be made to consider the applicability of education, treatment and future prevention in lieu of, or in combination with, judicial interventions as components of a comprehensive response.
Students with questions regarding NYU’s Emergency Considerations policy may
send an email, anonymously if they prefer, to wellness.exchange@nyu.edu. |
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