Patient Rights & Responsibilities

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• The Center for Health Promotion & Wellness

Alcohol & Other Drugs: An Overview

MIT students drink and use other drugs for a number of reasons: to relax after a hard week of p-sets and papers, to loosen up at a party, or to lower feelings of stress. Alcohol and other drugs can have negative effects, such as addiction, violence, and trouble meeting personal and work responsibilities. This page and the resources listed below are designed to give you information about alcohol and other drugs, so you can make informed decisions about their use. This page also provides tips on how to help a friend who might be abusing alcohol or other drugs.

What Constitutes a Drinking or Drug Problem?

At MIT Medical, the most commonly asked question about substances is: “When does it become a problem?” The specific answer will be different for different people but, in general, it can be considered a problem when it leads to negative health or social consequences, such as interfering with relationships, family life, friendships, schoolwork, and/or sleep. If you think you or your friend has a problem, this page has information about resources that can help.

What to Do in an Emergency

In an alcohol or other drug-related emergency, you need to call for help as soon as possible. Time wasted in decision-making can affect a person’s chances of recovery or possibly lead to his or her death. Even if you are not sure if it’s an emergency, it’s never wrong to call for help. Let a medical professional access the situation and determine its severity—don’t take on that responsibility yourself.

If you are concerned for any reason:
Call 100 from any campus phone or 617-253-1212 off campus or from a cell phone. If you call 911 from a cell phone, the call goes to Framingham and it will take longer for help to arrive.

When to Call for Help

You should call for help if a person:

• Is unable to stand or walk, or can do so only with difficulty
• Is only vaguely aware of his/her surroundings
• Has difficulty breathing
• Has passed out
• Has fever or chills
• Has difficulty speaking or identifying himself or herself to others
• Is reported to have consumed a large quantity of alcohol or to have ingested other sedating or tranquilizing drugs within the last 30 minutes

What to Do in Non-critical Situations

If the person is conscious, alert, and appears to understand the risks of the situation; can state his or her name, class, and campus address; and is able to stand or walk without assistance, although speech may be slurred, the situation is not critical.

In these circumstances, it is best to do the following:

• Get the person to bed.
• Place him or her on his or her side with a pillow at the small of the back.
• Check on him or her every 10–15 minutes for the remainder of the night.

This information was provided by the CDSA Center at MIT (Community Development and Substance Abuse Center for Prevention, Policy, and Research).

Learn More

For more information about alcohol and other drug use, read the following information:

What to Do in an Alcohol or Other Drug Emergency (PDF)
Alcohol Facts (PDF)
Tips for Smarter Drinking (PDF)
21 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Drugs (PDF)
MIT Good Samaritan Policy
MIT Alcohol Policy

People Who Can Help

At MIT Medical, we are able to help you or a friend who wants more information about alcohol or other drug use—and to provide support programs and treatment.

• Health care providers can answer medical questions and concerns related to alcohol and drug use. Call 617-253-4481 to make an appointment.
• Mental health clinicians can help people who are ready to make a change in their behavior and are interested in pursuing therapy. They are also available for people who just want to talk. Contact MIT Medical’s Mental Health Service at 617-253-2916 to make an appointment.
• Health educators provide access to additional information and resources and are there for people who just want to talk. To schedule a one-on-one consultation, call the Center for Health Promotion & Wellness at 617-253-1316.

Other MIT Resources

Community Development & Substance Abuse Center for Prevention, Policy, and Research (CDSA): To participate in a brief, two-session self-evaluation about your drinking, contact CDSA at 617-253-3277 or cdsa@mit.edu.

Nightline: Male and female staffers are available 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night of the term at this student-staffed, peer-listening service for MIT students. You can call to talk about anything on your mind, including alcohol and drug use. Call 617-253-8800.

Additional Resources

Here are some great resources outside of MIT where you can find more information:

Get screened on your alcohol use
Get screened on your drug use
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Go Ask Alice!