In the Mix with AOD: Recent Episodes
In the Mix with AOD
How do you think about substance use? The AOD team and featured guests discuss questions brought to the table both from our campus community and beyond. Tune in to challenge your beliefs about alcohol and other drugs, and gain expert advice on how to be safe, smart, and responsible.
Hey everyone! Wow, I can't believe how long it's been, and I'm so excited to be back in the studio recording another In the Mix podcast provided to you by the GVSU Alcohol & Other Drugs Services office. We have entered the month of April, which means we have made it to Alcohol Awareness Month. At this point in the semester, it’s a good time to look at our own drinking habits and see where we stand. In this episode, let’s look at the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month and how to handle triggers.
In this episode, we are going to be discussing marijuana, a substance growing in usage rates among college students. We are going to go into more detail about what exactly marijuana is, the effects to expect when experimenting, methods of consumption, the increase in potency over the course of decades, the dangers of mixing alcohol and marijuana, and when cannabis use disorder can develop. We have a jam packed episode so let’s get into it?
April is almost upon us which means that Alcohol Awareness Month is almost here. This month is meant to focus on raising awareness about alcohol abuse and dependence. As this semester is starting to wind down, it’s a good time to look at our own drinking habits and see where we stand. In this episode we are going to discuss why National Alcohol Awareness Month is important, the differences between alcohol use, misuse, and abuse, other terms to use rather than “Alcoholic”, and finally, how to manage urges to drink and use our drink refusal skills.
It’s that time of year where we are all replacing our laker blue with shamrock green and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Considered to be one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, St. Patrick’s Day is a time when college students love to go out and have a great time. In this episode, we are going to be discussing some safety tips to keep in mind when celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, the resources that are available right here on the Grand Valley campus to help keep students safe, and also ways to have a fun substance free St. Patrick’s Day if a day of drinking is not something you want to do.
With the added stress, turning to study drugs may seem like an easy option to help make the workload a little more bearable. We think that if these can help us just focus a little longer or stay up a few extra hours to get a bit more work done that it must be okay. However, these study drugs can have some harmful risks if they are being abused or misused by those without a prescriotion , and even those who are prescribed them. In this episode, we’re going to discuss what exactly these study drugs are, why students are influenced to take these drugs, the risks that are involved, and how society could possibly be influencing these drugs on younger generations. Then we’ll dive into how you can use alternative strategies to study effectively without substances.
As the second semester kicks into full swing, it’s important to be looking out for your friends whose substance use may start to be concerning. In this episode we will be discussing the physical and psychological symptoms to be looking out for, when it’s time to intervene, how to prepare for this conversation, and some options of what could be said. Always remember that family and friends can play an important role in helping someone understand the impact of their substance use.
The days are shorter and gloomy with the lack of sun looming over us which can cause many to feel down and have very little motivation. In this episode, we’re going to discuss seasonal affective disorder, what causes this to happen, the symptoms that can occur, and ways to help treat it without self-medicating with substances.
With 2022 just weeks away from coming to a close, now is a time to reflect on the semester and the year as a whole. This can be a time when people are thinking about their habits and whether or not they want or need to make a change. Substance use recovery can be on the minds of many. In this episode, we will be discussing the stages of change that occur during the journey of recovery, a reminder that relapse is a normal part of this journey, when it may be time to reach out for recovery support, and that there are a variety of recovery support options, with and without religious roots. But first we will be sitting down with Bonnie Dykstra, the Assistant Director of Grand Valley State University’s Alcohol and other Drugs Services to discuss recovery and the options that the AOD office provides to all students.
E-cigarettes entered the market in the early 2000’s and hit their peak popularity in 2014. With fruity flavors and the promise of less harmful effects compared to traditional cigarettes, there’s no question about the appeal vaping has for young adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaping in social settings or for fun has become increasingly more prevalent among college students as a way to obtain a buzz that is similar to the “high” that cigarettes offer.
Now, it’s understood that addiction is a medical disorder that changes the brain and changes behavior. Many biological and environmental risk factors have been identified and the search has begun for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of substance use disorders. Despite these advances, it’s important to recognize that we still don’t fully understand why some people develop an addiction or exactly how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug use. Here in today’s episode we'll be diving deeper into the science of addiction, discussing what an addiction is, what influences these substances have on our brains, why some people develop addictions and others don’t, and resources there are available to help with addiction recovery through Grand Valley’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Services.
Growing up, Halloween was all about who could get the most candy when out trick or treating, or who had the best witches or ghost costume in the neighborhood. Our parents used to watch over us as we begged for at least one scary movie on the night of Halloween. Boy have we come a long way from those years. We are not little witches and ghosts anymore as Halloween in college often turns into a week long holiday filled with endless parties, and horror themed everything. Despite parties being an anticipated aspect of college life, research shows that drinking and substance use is used at a much higher, more dangerous rate during the Halloween season. In this episode, we will be discussing a few safety tips surrounding substance use to keep in mind when celebrating Halloween, the signs to be on the lookout for with drink spiking, and how to still have a spooktacular night while in recovery.
Mental illness can feel as though there is this weight on our shoulders keeping us from moving forward, and sometimes substance misuse, or even substance use disorder can exacerbate that weight. This combination of substance use disorder and another mental illness occurring at the same time is called coexisting disordersEither disorder can develop first, andhaving one doesn’t mean you will develop the other. In this episode we are going to dive deeper into substance use disorder, coexisting disorders and their effects on one another, and the supports that are available right here at Grand Valley’s University Counseling Center.
With the school year kicked into full swing and welcome week festivities calming down, the stress of school work is beginning to set in. Homework, quizzes, exams, study groups, on top of taking care of yourself physically and mentally AND having a social life?- it’s exhausting. With our weekdays being filled with classes and homework, it’s completely acceptable to take a much needed break from school on the weekends and go out with friends. It’s necessary to have a balance between an academic and social schedule because burnout can sneak up on all of us without warning. However, students may experience thoughts that the only social gatherings they can find include alcohol or drug consumption. But I am here to tell you that this is far from the truth! Allendale may seem like a not so exciting place to hang out, but expand your horizons out twenty minutes and the options are endless in downtown Grand Rapids or out by the lakeshore in Holland.
Welcome back Lakers! The beginning of a new year is an exciting time and the school spirit is high among us all. As the athletic season kicks off, tailgating is back in full swing. Whether you are new to the tailgating scene or have previous experience, we are going to be navigating through tips and tricks on how to be safe and responsible with substance consumption this season.
The transition from college to the workplace may prove difficult. On the season final of season two, we'll discuss "maturing out" as students may feel overwhelmed when stepping into the workforce. From a feedback to relationship standpoint, college to the workplace proves to be different. With the inclusion of substance use, habits may be carried over from college that may need moderation.
Alcohol has been apart of human history for a long time. Often traditions like celebrations enhance the use of drinking or certain environments set social norms for alcohol. Media exposure also entices people to drink as people see their favorite celebrities consume a certain alcohol brand.
Raves and clubs often involve substance use to enhance a person's experience. Today's episode we'll discuss the rise in popularity of raves and clubs, the most used substances at them and how to be safe if attending a rave or club.
Money can be a struggle for some students during college. Additional costs and expenses can affect a student's financial stability. We'll look at the added costs of substances and tips on managing money.
2022 has begun and many people have created New Year's Resolutions. For some, this means cutting down on substance use. We'll discuss how to create new habits without substances, why some habits fail, and provide example strategies.
Adapting to college can steer students in different directions. Whether it's adapting to a new social life or dealing with less structure and more independence, students have easier access to alcohol and possibly drugs. Mixing the two substances together may stem from partying or it's used as a relaxation tool. We'll cover commonly mixed drugs, the effects it from mixing and why students mix substances.
As the semester is coming to an end, finals, projects and paper due dates are approaching fast. It’s a stressful time for college students as one test may make or break their future. Many students could feel unprepared and not know how or what to study. This increased stress and anxiety leads to pulling all nighters, last minute studying, and cramming in a lot of school work in a short amount of time. This can push students over the edge to where they use the “study drug” Adderall to stay focused and awake.
Drinking is the first activity that comes to mind when hitting the “adult age” of 21. Typically, turning 21 happens in college as there’s a new rite of passage of becoming an emerging adult. Binge drinking is the most common activity. This episode will help students make choices when turning 21, what to expect at a bar or restaurant when ordering drinks and go over the types of alcoholic drinks.
Marijuana use is on the rise within the college environment especially for students aged 18 to 25. As Michigan legalized recreational use of marijuana, there’s rising motivations to use the substance, such as, it serves as a getaway from mental stress, used for boredom/experimentation purposes, and social pressures. Today’s episode will detail more about the possible effects of using marijuana and the financial costs of buying the product.
Peer pressure is often the culprit at social gatherings. Students heading into a new semester of school would like to form new connections and friendships, but sometimes students feel the need to drink to be part of a group as alcohol is an easy solution. Here we’ll share details on how to say no and build strategies to do so.
In the season finale return guest, Dr. Baker, discusses the opiate crisis that he’s witnessed during his time as a board-certified addictionist. We’ll also be discussing the history of the drug, and what is missing from our current treatment options in the United States that prevent people from getting assistance in the first place.
*This podcast will also contain a discussion of sexual assault and non-consensual drugging.
Coca and its products have fueled sleepless nights for centuries, but it’s refined form of cocaine has become much more than just a drug. From an ancient-anti-meal to a devastating epidemic, cocaine has become an important symbol we’ve projected our wider socio-political issues onto throughout the past century. Now with tainted supplies and the prominent role it plays in the War on Drugs, has anything changed?
Alcohol is a drug that humans have used for millennia, and it's popularity hasn't waned any over the centuries. Despite knowing the health risks now, humans are drinking more than they ever have in the past thanks to the increased availability. So why don't we take them as seriously as we do other warnings?
Cannabis is having its moment in the spotlight with a multi-trillion dollar industry emerging for recreational use. Despite growing legalization however, there's not only unanswered questions about what the plant does, but who gets what access to this growing legal market.
We want to turn up the volume on safe and responsible choices when it comes to substances and sex. Tune in to hear Peer Educators at Grand Valley State University discuss topics such as risky behavior, consent, and much more!
* Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of those speaking. For more information, please connect with GVSU's AOD Services office, The Center for Women and Gender Equity, and RecWell.
Vaping and e-cigarettes have exploded in popularity in recent years across the globe, both as a method of smoking cessation and as a trendy and discrete way to get your nicotine fix. While most countries experienced the new wave with no issue, one country saw an explosion of underage users, the United States. Across the world smoking cessation programs using e-cigarettes have had great success when medical professionals are involved in the process, at the same time the United States was experiencing a sudden and mysterious wave of illnesses that appeared to be linked to e-cigarettes. In this episode we'll be looking at the marketing and regulations that resulted in an epidemic public health professionals still aren't sure how to handle.
Everybody would love to take a pill that allows them to be smarter, faster, and all around better. Adderall is having its big moment in the spotlight as this miracle pill, but what is it actually used for? Can it actually help stave off sleep? Does it actually make you smarter? Why is a little pill such a big deal? I sat down with board certified addictionist, Dr. Bruce Baker, to find answers for these questions and talk about the world’s long-lasting love affair with amphetamines.