Dalhousie takes a trauma-informed, non-judgemental approach to supporting students.
Harm reduction is a term for policies and practices that reduce negative physical, social, and legal impacts of substance use. It is an evidence-based, client-centred approach that provides people who use substances a choice of how they will minimize harms through non-judgemental and non-coercive strategies in order to enhance skills and knowledge to live safer, healthier lives.
A harm reduction approach at Dalhousie means that any student can access non-judgmental health and well-being supports and services regardless of their use of substances.
Substance-related disorders are classified into two groups: substance use disorders and substance-induced disorders. A substance use disorder is diagnosed by a healthcare professional and is a treatable mental health condition that affects a person's brain and behaviour, whereas a substance-induced disorder is a mental health condition caused by overuse of a substance.
The teams at Student Health & Wellness are here to have open, non-judgemental conversations with students about substance use. Students who are sober-curious, looking to take a tolerance break, or need support for recovery should reach out to us!
Here are 4 signs that could indicate it is time to reach out for help
- Causing harm to yourself or others because of substance use.
- Unable to quit or take a break on your own from substance use.
- Experiencing severe consequences from your substance use. For example, it is impacting relationships with family and friends, academic consequence’s like falling grades or probation, or losing a job.
- Life revolves around your use of substances. When you are no longer able to live your life without the substance use constantly present in your thoughts. For example:
- Life revolves around those who enable or support the use of substances.
- A large amount of time and money are spent seeking substances.
- More time is spent seeking substances and recovering from the high/intoxication than is desired.
Find support at Dal
Are alcohol, cannabis or other drugs impacting your academics, relationships or daily life? Are you concerned about your own substance use or that of a friend?
Are you sober-curious, looking to take a tolerance break, or need support for recovery?
Healthcare providers at Student Health & Wellness are trained to support students who use substances. You can access a physician, same-day counselling, nursing, and health promotion services to discuss substance use, mental health, harm reduction, recovery, and wellness.
You can also connect with the Care Crew, a student outreach team providing substance use education and harm reduction information and resources such as fentanyl test strip kits, THC dosing guides, safer substance use supplies, and more.
Alcohol use safety
Whether you choose to drink, or choose not to, we want students to have accurate information so they can make informed decisions about what is right for them.
While some students choose to drink, many drink in moderation or do not drink at all.
When considering alcohol use, think about why you want to drink and whether it is right for you and your health. Remember, you can still have fun, connect with friends, and be part of campus life whether you choose to drink, drink in moderation, or not drink at all.
Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health recommends that if you choose to drink, it is better to drink less. The less alcohol you consume, the lower your risk of experiencing alcohol-related harms.
To learn more about alcohol, its effects, and how alcohol can impact your health, relationships, academics, and overall wellbeing, explore Know Alcohol, a Canadian resource designed to help people make informed decisions about drinking.
Alcohol can affect your physical health, mental health, relationships, academic performance, and safety.
Short-term risks can include:
- Injury
- Alcohol poisoning
- Blackouts
- Impaired decision-making
- Increased vulnerability in social situations
Long-term risks increase as alcohol consumption increases. Even small reductions in alcohol use can have meaningful health benefits.
If you choose to drink:
- Set a limit before you start drinking
- Pace yourself and alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Eat before and while drinking
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid drinking games and rapid consumption
- Know the alcohol content of what you're drinking
- Never drive, cycle, or operate equipment after drinking
- Look out for your friends and plan to get home safely
A simple way to think about risk is the less you drink, the lower your risk.
Cannabis use safety
Whether you choose to use cannabis, or choose not to, we want you to have accurate information so you can make informed decisions about what is right for you.
While some students choose to use cannabis, many use in moderation or do not use at all.
When considering cannabis use, think about why you want to use it and whether it is right for you and your health. Delaying cannabis use can help reduce health risks, as the brain continues to develop into your mid-20s.
If you choose to use cannabis, Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines recommend starting low and going slow. Choosing products with lower THC content, using less often, and avoiding mixing cannabis with alcohol or other substances can help reduce potential risks.
Most people who use cannabis will not develop psychosis. However, cannabis use can increase the risk of psychotic symptoms for some people.
Psychosis affects how a person experiences reality. Symptoms can include:
- Seeing or hearing things that others do not
- Feeling unusually suspicious or paranoid
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- Changes in daily functioning, relationships, or academic performance
If you experience any of these symptoms, or notice them in a friend, it is important to reach out for support.
Cannabis-related psychosis risk may be higher for people who:
- Started using cannabis at a younger age
- Have experienced psychosis before
- Have a parent, sibling, or child with psychosis or schizophrenia
- Use cannabis more than once per week
- Regularly use products with high THC content
Research also suggests that the risk of psychosis-related outcomes increases with higher-THC products and more frequent cannabis use.
If you choose to use cannabis, there are steps you can take to reduce risk:
- Choose products with lower THC content
- Consider products with a higher CBD-to-THC ratio
- Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
- Consider reducing how often you use cannabis or taking a tolerance break
- Purchase cannabis from regulated sources when possible
- Pay attention to changes in your thoughts, perceptions, mood, or daily functioning
A simple way to think about risk: more THC + more often = more risk.
Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides legal protection for those seeking help during an emergency or potential overdose/poisoning.
It applies to anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose/poisoning, including the person experiencing an overdose and anyone else on the scene.
The Act protects the person in distress, and the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives. The Act also protects anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives.
Keep this in mind and take care of yourself and those around you – you won’t get in trouble if you or a friend calls 911 for help.
Illegal substance use
Whether you choose to use legal (non-prescribed) or illegal drugs or substances there are always some risks. Especially when using medication or drugs not prescribed to you or accessed from an illegal drug supply.
It is important to know the facts to reduce risks if you choose to use. If you choose to use, take a Naloxone/Narcan training, carry a Naloxone kit and pick up a Fentanyl test strip kit from the Dal Care Hub.