ALCOHOL POISONING
One of the most important things we can do is look out for each other. Watch for signs of confusion, loss of coordination, vomiting, seizures, irregular breathing, blue-tinged skin and unconsciousness. If you spot them, get help. Find a bouncer; call an RA, campus security or 911. Don’t hesitate. You may only get one chance.
It’s all about having a good time without having things go sideways. Here’s how you can get the most out of your night:
KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR DRINK
If you’re eyeballing it or someone else is mixing your drinks, you might not know how much beverage alcohol is in there. It’s no fun if you lose track. Always order single drinks from a bartender or pour your own using a measured shot glass if you are at a private event.
KNOW YOUR CANNABIS
Cannabis affects everyone differently, and varying amounts, types and forms can cause different lengths and levels of impairment. Begin with low THC percentages and slowly learn how you react. Everyone’s experience is unique.
PLAN A SAFE NIGHT
Knowing what time to meet your friends at the bar is important, but so is planning a safe way home – whether it’s grabbing a cab, walking in a group, rolling with a designated driver or crashing on a friend’s couch. It’s also smart to grab a bite before you go out and have an alcohol-free drink in between every beverage alcohol drink (energy drinks don’t count, they’re a recipe for nasty). Remember that beverage alcohol and cannabis both affect your judgement. Never drive impaired and get home safely.
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR FRIENDS
Your friends might not always notice if they’ve consumed too much. Have a buddy system when you go out and don’t be afraid to speak up if things are getting out of hand.
STASH YOUR CASH
“I spent how much last night?” Many of us have heard it. Set a budget and avoid buying rounds when you’re out with a group. It gets expensive fast. Life in general can be costly, so avoid blowing all your rent money on a few nights out.
PACE YOURSELF
Park the chugging and hauling. It’s not a race and there is no trophy. Same goes for the party games, which make it way too easy to end up under the table before the night gets started. Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines suggest two drinks every three hours, and Canada’s Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines suggest limiting consumption to occasional use, such as only one day a week or on weekends, or less. Keeping your consumption within these limits is a good way to keep pace with all the night’s fun.
STAY HYDRATED
Beverage alcohol dehydrates you, so make sure you’re drinking lots of water between drinks and not consuming on an empty stomach.
NO PRESSURE
You are your own person, so do your own thing. You shouldn’t feel pressured to drink or consuming cannabis. Same thing goes for pressuring others. Insert “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” quote from your mother here.