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
1. Choose your own adventure听
It's easy to assume that everyone drinks in college. However, it鈥檚 important to know that 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
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 surveyed CU Boulder students support not drinking at parties. 听
2. Set limits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
3. Master the art of saying 鈥淚'm good, thanks鈥澨
Whether you鈥檙e trying to avoid peer pressure or leave a party, it鈥檚 important to have some strategies under your belt. Consider potential exit strategies before you go out so you鈥檙e better prepared to use them. Here are some examples you can use:听
Avoiding peer pressure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 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 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 |
Leaving a party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
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. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to stick to one substance at a time.听听
5. Be prepared for emergencies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
If an emergency situation unfolds, here鈥檚 what you can do:听听
Watch for these signs:听 |
How to respond:听听 |
Important policies to know
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).听听听听
To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:听听听
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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
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.
6. Look out for others听
The reality is that most sexual assaults are 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
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
Watch out for someone who is: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
Learn more about drug-facilitated sexual assault听
7. Have fun听
College can be a stressful time, and it鈥檚 important to take time to have some fun. Practicing these strategies can help you stay safe and enjoy your night out.听听
Resources听
If you're looking to explore your relationship with substances, explore the impacts of alcohol and sex, register an upcoming party or connect with a recovery community, CU Boulder has resources that can help.听听
Register your gathering to lessen the chances of receiving an expensive ticket. By registering your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations, you will get a 20-minute warning before police officers arrive if your residence receives a noise complaint.听 |
Check out this site for more information about:听 |
Explore boundary-setting, consent, pleasure, the impact of alcohol on sex and sexual assault prevention during this interactive workshop presented by the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).听 |
Student Legal Services is a dedicated law firm that provides support to eligible CU Boulder students facing legal issues, including:听 |
Health Promotion offers free workshops to help students reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances.听听 *Workshops are not considered therapy or substance abuse treatment.听 |
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)听 CAPS provides several services related to substance use, including:听听 *Confidential resource听 |
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR)听 SCCR provides support and resources to help students understand the impact of their behaviors, balancing accountability with growth and education. The student conduct process helps students reflect on and repair any harm caused and create a personal plan to minimize or eliminate harm in the future.听 |
Collegiate Recovery Community (CUCRC)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 |
Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)听 OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event, including, but not limited to, sexual assault and harassment.听听 *Confidential resource听 |