Information on Alcohol and Drugs

“I’m an American citizen and no foreign government can put me in their jail.”
WRONG!

We want your study abroad experience to be fun and safe, so we encourage you to make responsible decisions when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Below is some important information for you and some suggestions on how to make the most of your experience.

Watch: Alcohol Awareness While Studying Abroad

Laws

Loyola alcohol and drug policy for students can be applied to students who are on campus and who are studying abroad. Similarly, you are expected to abide by laws of the U.S. and of your host country. Even though the legal drinking age may be 18 in the country you are visiting, availability and public consumption of alcohol, along with other drinking laws, may vary depending on the country you are visiting. It’s important to also be aware that many countries have laws regarding alcohol and other drug use that are more severe than laws in the U.S. For example, in Spain, those caught with illegal drugs such as marijuana can be sentenced up to 12 years in prison. So we recommend you to be knowledgeable of the country’s laws and regulations in regards to alcohol and drug use. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State's website for country specific information and general information about drugs and alcohol abroad. Please remember while you are studying abroad, you are not only representing Loyola, but also the state of Maryland, and the U.S. 

If you choose to drink alcohol while you are overseas, please drink responsibly.

Tips on How to Drink Responsibly

• Eat before and while you drink
• Keep track of how much you are drinking; know how much alcohol is poured into every glass, and be aware of the alcohol percentage in your drink (in some countries, drinks have a higher alcohol content and may be served in larger portions)
• Pace your drinking. Don’t drink any more than 1 alcoholic drink (One 12 oz. beer, One 5 oz. glass of wine, or One 1.5 oz. shot of 40% alcohol) per hour
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers and if you set your drink down, don’t finish it (you don’t know what’s in it)
• Avoid shots, hard alcohol, drinking games, funneling, keg stands, etc.
• Go out in a group and go home as a group
• If you are going to drink at all, don’t drive
• Make sexual decisions when sober, not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Don’t mix alcohol with any drug (illicit, prescribed or over-the-counter)
• Stay hydrated – for every alcoholic drink you have, drink a non-alcoholic one, preferably water

List of symptoms which may indicate an alcohol or other drug problem

If you are worried about your own behaviors in regards to alcohol or drug use, or are worried about a friend while you are overseas, here are some red flags.

• High tolerance or a notable change in tolerance, either higher or lower
• Blackouts - gaps in memory for what happened while under the influence
• Loss of control - an inability to control frequency and/or amount used
• Significant change in personality when under the influence
• Problems in school or at work because of use (e.g., failed exam after night of partying, poor class attendance)
• Concern expressed by family/friends regarding use
• Tension in relationships as a result of use (e.g., roommate difficulties)
• Continued use despite negative consequences (e.g., legal problems, doing things when under the influence that go against your values, physical problems exacerbated by use, etc.)

Go to http://www.alcoholscreening.org to access an online quiz to help gauge if you might have a problem.

What should you do if you, or someone you know, might have a problem?

 To receive immediate assistance while you are studying abroad, we recommend you to contact your program coordinator on campus or your resident director overseas to find the available resources you may need.

• AA Meetings abroad
• NA Meetings abroad