Party Smart

Whether you鈥檙e hosting, going out or just hanging with friends, knowing how to party smart can help keep you and the people around you safe.

Whatever your plans, we are here to help you make informed choices and know what to do if something doesn鈥檛 feel right.

What Students Say 麻豆影院 Partying

While it may seem like partying is the norm at college, not everyone parties or drinks at CU 麻豆影院. Here are some things students say they wish they would鈥檝e known about partying and drinking.

It's ok sometimes to miss out on partying with my friends, there will always be another opportunity to hang out.听

It's okay to have my own boundaries and not to go past them听

Most of my memorable college experiences, would come from when I was sober.听

Making Choices That Work for You

Everyone is somewhere on the continuum of substance use:

  • Substance-free: Don鈥檛 use, have never used or rarely used in the past
  • Experimental: Unsure how a substance will affect you; little experience
  • Regular use: Use a substance and know how it affects you from experience
  • High-risk use: Have had unwanted experiences related to substance use
  • Living in recovery: Changed habits to practice moderation, harm reduction or sobriety

You also might be in different places for different substances. For example, you could be substance-free for nicotine, experimenting with cannabis and a regular user of alcohol.听

No matter where you are, harm-reduction strategies can help you stay safer at parties:

  • Decide what鈥檚 best for you: Take time to think about your choices and set limits that feel right for you. It鈥檚 okay to say 鈥渘o鈥 or 鈥淚鈥檓 good, thanks鈥 if you don鈥檛 want to use.
  • Stick with people you trust: Go out with friends you know well, make a plan to check in with each other and agree on how you鈥檒l get home safely.
  • Choose your setting: Whether it鈥檚 a big party or a small hangout, pick the environment that matches your comfort level. If things don鈥檛 feel right, it鈥檚 okay to leave.
  • Pace yourself: Too many parties or frequent use can affect your well-being and academics. Give yourself breaks and listen to how you鈥檙e feeling.
  • Know your limits: Start slow, take breaks and remember your tolerance might change in new situations. Setting a limit ahead of time can help you avoid unwanted experiences.
  • Stick to one substance at a time: Mixing alcohol, medications or other drugs can increase your risk of overdose or other negative effects. The interactions can be unpredictable, so it鈥檚 safer to use only one at a time.
  • Eat and stay hydrated: If you choose to drink, eat a meal or snack beforehand and drink water throughout the night. Alternating water with alcoholic drinks can help you stay hydrated.
  • Plan a sober ride home
    • Make a plan for getting home before you start drinking.
    • Do not drive after drinking, or get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
    • CU NightRide听offers听free evening transportation to and from any location within 麻豆影院 city limits.

Curious about your habits or want to reflect on your choices?听
You can get anonymous, online feedback about , or 鈥攏o meeting required.听听

How To Respond in an Emergency

Overuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs can be life-threatening and require immediate action. Here鈥檚 how to recognize and respond to different alcohol and other drug-related emergencies.

Alcohol

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning:
  • Passed out and unresponsive
  • Slow or no breathing
  • Vomiting while passed out
  • Pale/bluish or clammy/cool skin
  • Uncontrolled peeing and pooping
How to respond:
  • Call 911 immediately
  • Administer naloxone, in case the person consumed opioids either knowingly or unknowingly
  • Put the person in the
  • Never leave them alone

Opioid Overdose

Know the signs of an overdose:
  • Pinpoint (small) pupils
  • Shallow or no breathing
  • Blue or grayish lips/fingernails
  • No response to stimuli (like being pinched)
  • Gurgling, heavy wheezing or snoring sound
How to respond:
  • Call 911 immediately
  • Administer naloxone, even if you鈥檙e unsure about the person鈥檚 condition
  • Put the person in the
  • Stay with the person until help arrives

Free and discounted naloxone is available on campus, and at other locations in 麻豆影院 and Broomfield counties.听

Good news: CU鈥檚 Amnesty Policy and Colorado鈥檚 can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person.

Hosting a Party?

Want to host a party without worrying about noise complaints or expensive tickets? Register your party with Off-Campus Life and the 麻豆影院 Police Department. Whether you鈥檙e hanging out with a few friends or plan to have a larger event, party registration can help limit your chances of receiving a noise or nuisance ticket.

Knowing city of 麻豆影院 ordinances and understanding common citations can also save you from tickets and fees.