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Drugs and Alcohol - Drugaí agus Alcól

Drugs & Alcohol

College is a time of many firsts, drugs and alcohol may be some of them. TCDSU is committed to a Harm Reduction approach, which emphasises engaging directly with students who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission and empower students through information.

Support Services

  • If you, or anyone around you, experienced negative health outcomes after drug use, contact 999 immediately. You can access healthcare services without criminal prosecution.
  • The HSE runs a confidential service both as a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you are struggling with substance-dependence. The helpline is available Mon-Fri, from 09:30-17:30.
  • As a student you can book an appointment about concerns over your drug or alcohol use at Trinity’s College Health Centre. More information can be found on their website www.tcd.ie/collegehealth. You can book an appointment by calling 01 896 1591 or 01 896 1556.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous is a free support for if you are recovering from alcoholism. Their phone number is 01 842 0700 and email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie 
  • Narcotics Anonymous is a community-based organisation for recovering addicts, www.na-ireland.org or 01 672 8000.

Information About Drugs

Harm Reduction
It is always safer to not take substances!
If you are to take substances, never mix!

Drug test kits are available at the Welfare and Equality office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Overdose

  • What it looks like: Loss of consciousness, seizure, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, pale skin
  • What to do: Seek medical assistance immediately and place the person into the recovery position. Remove any objects that could cause harm to the person. Check if the person is breathing and use an AED and perform CPR if they are not breathing.

LSD

  • Dosage: The usual dose for LSD is between 100-200 micrograms
  • Mixing: Do not mix LSD with alcohol (and other depressants such as benzos), or stimulants as this may exacerbate the effects of LSD and cause paranoia
  • Drug Quality: It’s hard to estimate the potency of LSD, even with testing kits. LSD may be laced with other substances that testing kits pick up so for this reason, keep your doses low!
  • Affects: LSD can cause episodes of paranoia if taken when you’re in a depressed or anxious mood-state
  • Harm Reduction: LSD trips last a long time and sometimes effects take time to hit so avoid re-dosing. Only use around people you trust and in a safe environment to avoid a bad trip. Don’t use if you’re feeling low, anxious, worried or depressed as these feelings may be amplified when you start tripping. Sometimes more harmful substances are sold as LSD, follow the phrase “if it’s bitter, it’s a spitter”. LSD is tasteless so if you taste anything bitter or chemically it’s likely not LSD

Cocaine

  • Dosage: Start with a small test dose and leave at least 2 hours between use
  • Mixing: Never mix with other substances as risks are greatly increased. Avoid mixing with alcohol as these two form a new substance in your body which can make you feel anxious or aggressive
  • Affects: Cocaine is a stimulant which causes users to feel wide awake, increased heart rate and body temperature, paranoia, unpredictable behaviour, anxiety, dry mouth
  • Harm Reduction: Chop your cocaine finely, alternate nostrils and wash out your nose to reduce damage to your nasal passages and septum. Use a clean snorting tube (preferably not money) to prevent the spread of blood borne viruses.

MDMA/Ecstasy (Molly)

  • Dosage: MDMA can take time to affect people so it is always safer to start with a quarter dose, then another quarter after 60 minutes. Leave 2 hours between larger quantities. 125mg and less is the safest, with 60mg as boosters
  • Mixing: Avoid mixing MDMA with other substances, especially alcohol, cocaine and depressants
  • Affects: MDMA can cause jaw tension, overheating, anxiety, heavy sweating, impaired balance.
  • Harm Reduction: MDMA can confuse your body temperature so be sure to stay hydrated by drinking 250-500ml of water per hour. Take breaks from dancing to cool down.

Ketamine

  • Dosage: A light dose ranges from 15-30mg with more common doses ranging from 30-75mg. It’s usually snorted but occasionally it’s injected. Avoid doses close to or over 150mg as you risk entering the “K-hole” where you risk becoming unresponsive to outside stimuli and risk uncomforting hallucinations
  • Mixing: Avoid depressants like alcohol as they amplify the effects
  • Affects: Euphoria, numbness, nausea, confusing, hallucinations,
  • Harm Reduction: Only use Ketamine in a safe environment as going into a k-hole in an unsafe space can be a scary and dangerous experience. Stay hydrated throughout the experience to reduce bladder damage, if you notice you need to pee more often, cramps in your abdomen, or blood in your pee, stop using ketamine as these are signs of bladder damage. Consider getting medical attention.

Alcohol

  • Dosage: Varies depending on what desired effect you want amongst your body composition. You should not exceed more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • Mixing: Avoid drinking alcohol with other drugs as it combines dangerously with them
  • Affects: Relaxation, emotional volatility, impulsivity, slurred speech, memory loss
  • Harm Reduction: Eat a filling meal before drinking and stay hydrated throughout the experience to reduce the risk of a bad hangover. Don’t go drinking alone and have a plan for getting home safely. Alcohol will make you more likely to engage in risky behaviours. Never drive under the influence of alcohol.

Gambling - Cearrbhachas

Gambling can be considered to be a problem in your life when it gets in the way with work, school or other activities, harms your mental health or physical health, creates financial struggles, or causes problems with your friends and family.

If you are affected by addictive behaviours, the Student Counselling Service runs an Addictive Behaviours support group. Other supports:

Extern Problem Gambling

Harm prevention and support

www.problemgambling.ie 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

089 241 5401

Gamblers Anonymous

Recovering from Gambling addiction (free) support

www.gamblersanonymous.ie 

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01 872 1133