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Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Alcohol
and other substance abuse is a significant problem on college
campuses. Many students experiment with their newfound freedom
by using alcohol and other chemicals, but many find it difficult
to control their use. Just at the time that many students
are working to improve their lives by gaining an education,
many are beginning or continuing a severe alcohol or substance
abuse problem that may ruin their chances of an education
and/or career of their choice.
How to Identify Substance Abuse
- increased
frequency of use
- loss
of control over frequency, duration and/or amount of use
- drinking
or using when you don't intend to
- substance
use interferes with life activities (i.e. school, relationships
with family and friends)
- increased
spending money on substance of choice
- personality
changes noted by self and others
- getting
into risky/dangerous behaviors
- other
people express concern about your use/ your behavior
- grades
dropping
- missing
classes and appointments
- legal
trouble (i.e., DUI)
When chemical
abuse becomes severe
- loss
of friends (except perhaps other chemical abusers)
- negative
changes in appetite with possible weight loss
- possible
reduction or loss of libido (sex drive) .and/or only able
to perform when using
- extreme
mood swings, including anger and depression
- obsessions
about using or procuring substance when not under the influence
- lying
about substance to use to friends and loved ones
- loss
of memory for times when under the influence
- uncomfortable
withdrawal symptoms when not using
- involvement
in crime to support habit
- loss
of energy and general health
- you
are increasingly unable to believe your own denial and excuses
How counseling can help
- help
clarify your pattern of abuse
- identify
how your life has been affected
- assist in creating strategies to decrease your use
- identify
related issues that may contribute to your abuse
- if
necessary, referral to more intensive treatment resource
Frequent
use and abuse of substances can have a serious effect on one's
academic and personal lives. If you think that you are having
difficulty controlling your use of alcohol or would like to
talk to someone about your use: Call and make an appointment
with one of the counselors at (715) 425-3884.
Alcohol Assessments
Alcohol and other drug assessments areavailable for currently enrolled UWRF students through UWRF Counseling Services (a fee is charged for court ordered assessments). Call ahead for an appointment (715) 425-3884
How to Help a Friend
It is an act of great caring to share your concern with someone if you believe they are doing something that is causing them harm. It is not a confrontation, conviction, or personal attack to tell someone you care enough about them to talk about what’s going on and to offer a helping hand.
General Principles
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Ignoring self-defeating behavior is not helpful to the person about whom you are concerned.
- Helpful intervention is a process—not an event.
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When people are confronted about behavior that is a part of their lifestyle, they may become defensive and angry.
- The more you learn about alcohol and other drugs effects, the more helpful you can be to those who are having problems with them.
Attempt to do the Following:
- Let the person know you care about him/her by using “I” messages, e.g., “I’m worried about you”.
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Try to remain calm.
- Refer to specific and observable behaviors, e.g. “I am worried because you have been drinking three nights a week for the past month and your grades are falling”.
- Remain non-judgmental. Emphasize the contrast between the person’s positive sober behavior and the intoxicated behavior or negative life effects which concerns you.
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Use gentle persistence.
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Anticipate possible responses (minimize, change topic, make excuses, promise to change, challenge your use).
- Accept their anger; don’t argue or get angry in return.
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Be ready to provide education (printed information, a list of campus and community resources, pamphlets on abuse).
- Utilize your own support system (talk with a support person before and/or after).
Try to Avoid the Following:
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Arguing with the person
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Getting angry and losing control
- Getting hooked by their defensiveness (don’t feel guilty or take it personally).
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Delaying the discussion; it should be done as soon as possible after an incident and after the person is sober
- Diagnosing e.g., “You’re an alcoholic”
- Sparing the person from the consequences of his/her use
If a person/student is willing to accept professional help, give them all the information you can about their various options. The Counseling Services is a great place to start because they provide students with a confidential evaluation,counseling, and referral services. Call us at 425-3884 .
The following Links are helpful as well:
HELPGUIDE.org:
information on alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
HELPGUIDE.org:
information on drug abuse and addiction.
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