Other behaviours of concern
A range of behaviours may become a cause for concern.
This may include people dealing with grief and loss, alcohol and drug abuse or dependence, relationship breakdown, or homelessness. These may become concerning behaviours if they significantly affect you or someone else at the University.
What to do
Signs & impact of substance abuse
Signs of substance abuse
- Regularly taking more than intended
- Negative impact on work, home or school
- Regularly trying to cut down or stop
- Tolerance: need more to get the same effect
- Withdrawal: feel ill when not using
- Cravings or desire for the substance
Impact of substance abuse
- Major cause of mental illness
- Alcohol and drug abuse leads to higher risk of mental illness
- Higher risk of violence, suicide, heart disease, diabetes, and malnutrition.
Other concerning behaviours resources
Be informed about other concerning behaviours including grief and loss, alcohol and drug abuse or dependence, relationship breakdown, or homelessness.
External resources
- Lifeline grief and loss fact sheet (PDF) – Lifeline Australia
- Beyondblue grief and loss
- alcohol fact sheets – including effects of alcohol, short and long term
- NIDA easy to read drugs facts – NIDA is a the National Institute on Drug Abuse (US site)
- Homelessness Australia
- Youth homelessness fact sheet – Melbourne City Mission
University resources
- Student Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and Procedures
- Student Charter Policy
- Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy