Courtesy of Marshall University Photos

Kaye Godbey, coordinator of wellness programs

“Many students think drinking is an expected part of the college experience,” Marshall University’s wellness coordinator said, “despite the reality that the numbers of students drinking excessively have declined over the years.” 

Alcohol and drugs have become coping methods when it comes to dealing with daily life stresses, and it may be an easy escape for college students.

The use of risky substances affects your body and the decisions that you make, according to coordinator Kaye Godbey.

“Substance use plays havoc with the natural systems of the body that moderate our focus, our emotional moderation and our physical bodies,” she said. 

Excessive use of these substances could lead to injuries, overdose and even accidental death, she said. Godbey went on to say that, instead of partaking in drugs and alcohol, it may be best to find healthier options or even hang around people that aren’t partaking. 

“Other healthy habits are connecting to others and not isolating yourself; choose companions that don’t make you act against your own best interests,” Godbey said. 

According to Godbey, taking time out of the day for one’s own well-being can help one’s health and keep them from partaking in the use of substances to manage their issues. 

“Marshall students have access to resources included in their tuition, like counseling and the collegiate recovery and wellness programs which can help students take charge of their present and future health and success,” she said. 

It’s important to prioritize one’s health in order to make sure they are taken care of but also ensuring that alcohol and drugs are not treating personal issues. 

“What we breathe and consume and absorb all impacts the body’s ability to care for itself,” she said. “Simply put: positive in, positive out; negative in, negative out.”