Alcohol and Other Drugs at KU
Getting Help
Not using alcohol is the best way to avoid the negative consequences of alcohol use. If you choose to use alcohol, using harm reduction strategies such as: not binge drinking, staying with friends, and having a safe way to get home will be helpful in staying safe and unharmed.
Even when taking precautions, sometimes situations can get out of hand. Whether helping a friend with a medical emergency such as alcohol poisoning or you are concerned about alcohol abuse or dependency issues for yourself or a friend, the following on and off campus resources are available:
On-Campus Resources
Off-Campus Resources
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Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
The Center offers a wide range of outpatient mental health services ranging from brief solution-focused therapy to supportive services for persons with more extensive mental health needs, including substance abuse.
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DCCCA Center
DCCCA, Inc. provides quality substance abuse treatment services. At DCCCA chemical dependency and addiction are viewed as diseases that are treatable, and that the progression of the disease can be influenced by and through treatment.
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Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
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Headquarters
One of the country's oldest crisis services, Headquarters provides Counseling and support for all personal concerns, such as family problems, stress, loneliness, relationship difficulties, depression, abuse, sexuality issues, alcohol or other drug problems. They can be a first call for help in the Lawrence community.
How to Help a Friend
Alcoholism
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Alanon
Al-Anon is a support group that offers strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. Alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
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Alateen
Alateen is part of Al-Anon, which helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. It is designed for young people.
Alcohol Poisoning
View Alcohol Poisoning Information Poster (PDF)What Happens to Your Body When You Get Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions.
It is common for someone who drank excessive alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach. There is then the danger of choking on vomit, which could cause death by asphyxiation in a person who is not conscious because of intoxication.
You should also know that a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. Even after a person stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.
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