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1. The Wellness Center

2. Alcohol & Other Drugs

   1. Alcohol Health Risks
   2. Drug Health Risks
   3. Alcohol & Drug Resources
   4. Substance Abuse

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   The Wellness Center

Alcohol & Other Drug Substance Abuse Problems

Assessing Whether or Not There is a Problem

According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the following four questions can help you to determine whether you or a loved one may have an alcohol problem:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a substance abuse problem. You can seek help by contacting someone at the University or a community resource.

If you suspect that a friend or family member may have a problem, please see the section Helping a Friend Who May Have a Substance Abuse Problem or contact The Counseling and Testing Center (334-5874) in the Gove Student Health Center.

Helping a Friend who may have a Substance Abuse Problem

• Show your concern for your friend and express how you feel about what you are seeing.
• Be considerate of your friend’s privacy; choose a time and place that is away from other people when you choose to have a conversation about the issue. Do not confront your friend while he or she is intoxicated or high; choose a time when you are both sober and calm.
• Recognize that your friend may not realize that there is a problem, or your friend may become defensive and even deny that such a problem exists.
• Focus the conversation on the behaviors that concern you, citing specific examples when your friend put her or himself or someone else at risk. Do not attack the person’s character, but stay focused on the behaviors and consequences.
• Share with your friend the resources that are available on campus to help or support students with substance abuse problems or concerns. Make sure your friend knows where he/she can get this assistance.
• Support your friends, but don’t protect them from the consequences of their behavior. Help them understand what those consequences are before it is too late.
• Support your friend once he/she has recognized that there is a problem. Stick by when times are tough.
• Do not feel that you must accept responsibility for your friend’s behavior.
• Try to avoid putting yourself in a position in which you are invited to drink alcohol or use drugs with your friend.

Helping a Friend Who is Passed Out

When you are with friends who are drinking, be alert for risk factors, such as vomiting or passing out.

• If a friend has passed out, check for responsiveness. Tap them or gently shake them to determine whether they have passed out or are sleeping. Someone who does not respond has passed out, and you should seek help for them by calling 911 or the campus police. Underage students who are drinking will not face school sanctions if they are assisting a friend in need.
• While waiting for help, turn the individual onto her or his side in order to keep their airway free of obstructions. Stay with the individual or arrange for someone to stay with her or his until help arrives.
• You may want to speak with your friend about her or his drinking behavior the next day when you are both sober.

See Helping a Friend Who May Have a Substance Abuse Problem above for useful tips.

Page updated: 28-Jun-2009

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