Health issues to consider (with or without drugs)
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Nutrition * Sleep * Dancing * Loud Music
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How others' drug use affects you
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Check out DanceSafe's ad on Safe Settings
EAT, SLEEP, DANCE
A majority of health and mental problems experienced by Americans are directly related to poor dieting and improper rest. Experts recommend at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night for younger individuals from the ages of adolescence to late-20s, and at least about 6 hours for middle age adults. Having a consistent rest pattern (going to bed and getting out at the same time everyday) is also helpful. As far as nutrition goes, partying until sunrise without eating all night can be damaging if it’s done every weekend. Suggest to promoters and club owners selling food and snacks at their events if they don’t do so already. If you have an upcoming party to attend or DJ at, plan your schedule ahead of time so it doesn’t disrupt your eating and sleep patterns.
If you are, then you’re just like the average human being. But some addicts like their music *LOUD* Since we all want to be able to enjoy our music for the rest of our lives, follow these tips to prevent losing your hearing:
- Avoid dancing too close to the speakers for long periods of time. Speaker-hugging is extremely dangerous and damages your hearing the quickest.
- You can be more vulnerable to hearing loss if you already have a family history of hearing problems.
- The United States Occupational Safety & Health standards recommends employees not to be exposed to noise levels greater than 80dB for more than 8 straight hours. Since most all-night clubs, raves, and concerts are open for about the same amount of time, and that music levels at these events average at least 110dB, these recommendations can also be applied to musicians and partygoers who frequent events with amplified music.
- Organizations such as DanceSafe and Hearing Education & Awareness for Rockers distribute free earplugs and hearing protection information at parties and concerts in parts of the country where they operate. Their earplugs work to reduce noise levels by 20-35dB. Their contact info is on the other side of this pamphlet.
The combination of a crowded party, intense dancing, and poor ventilation often adds to a very hot environment. As a result, dozens of overheated ravers and clubbers have collapsed on dance floors in recent years. To prevent such emergencies, follow these simple precautions when you’re out partying:
- Take breaks from dancing, especially if you have had any history of asthma or heart problems.
- Wear loose clothing, and don’t bother bringing in your jacket or any other extra layers of clothing that you don’t intend to wear while inside the party.
- Bring enough cash to buy water. Salty snacks and sports drinks which replenish electrolytes also help.
In addition, ask yourself these questions when deciding which parties you’re going to attend. And again, give promoters and venue owners suggestions if their events don’t already meet your needs:
- Will this event have running fountains or free water of any kind? How much will they charge for bottled water?
- Do they exceed their capacities? Will that party be just too packed for me?
- Will there be an outdoor area for people to smoke or just have some fresh air?
- Does this venue have a lounge or chill room where I can rest if I get too tired from the dancing and loud music?
- Are there fans or some type of safe ventilation system installed?
- Is there a coat check service? How much does it cost?
Technically, yes, because it contains caffeine just like coffee, tea, and most sodas do. And caffeine is known to be physically addictive as well as a risk to adults with heart problems and high blood pressure. Nicotine, sugar, alcohol, and other legal substances are also associated with many physical health problems among Americans. So even if you don’t smoke pot, drop e, or take any other “club drugs,” check with your doctor to be sure the legal things you’re doing at parties (even just having an energy drink or smoking a cigarette) aren’t adversely affecting your health.
DOES ABSTINENCE EQUAL COMPLETE SAFETY?
Unfortunately, no. Even though abstinence is the safest route, you can still be at risk simply because someone else’s drug abuse can affect you. Below are three examples of harm reduction efforts aimed at protecting people who don’t engage in personal, intentional drug use:
- Drunk driving: Of the tens of thousands of Americans that are injured or killed in drunk driving collisions each year, only a small percentage of them represent the intoxicated drivers responsible for the accident. The majority of victims are innocent passengers and drivers who were completely sober at the time of the collision. Efforts to fight this problem in various parts of the country have included volunteer-run ride services for bar patrons; bar policies that give unlimited, free, non-alcoholic beverages to designated drivers; and laws holding bars and restaurants liable if they allow their customers to leave drunk and then get behind a wheel.
- Second-hand smoking: Roughly 400,000 Americans die each year from cancers and diseases caused by tobacco smoking. Second-hand smoking kills at least another 50,000, and most of these victims lived with or worked around regular smokers, in which case the risk was very difficult to avoid. So states such as California have passed laws prohibiting indoor smoking of any kind. One of the main intentions of such laws is to protect the health of employees at restaurants, bars, and other places where smoking is common.
- Drug-assisted rape: Today, depressants (i.e. mostly alcohol, but also GHB) are involved in more cases of rape than any other category of substances. This is because depressants decrease mobility and consciousness, allowing the culprit to take advantage of his victim with little resistance. Other risks include nausea and respiratory failure. Some victims have fallen into comas and even choked on their own vomit after being drugged. Download my GHB pamphlet for tips on preventing overdose and drug-assisted rape.
And here's a collage of pictures from a rave I went to completely sober. 5 dance areas. Over 10,000 people. 8 hours of non-stop music. And no drugs, alcohol, or even energy drinks. I have no idea how I was able to do it back in those days.
© 2005
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