Substance Abuse
Signs That a Student May Have an Alcohol Problem:
- Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
- School-specific problems such as poor attendance, low grades, and/or recent disciplinary action.
- Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as driving a car.
- Recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or physically hurting someone while drunk.
- Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking.
- Mood changes such as temper flare-ups, irritability, and defensiveness.
- Physical or mental health problems such as memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech.
Signs That a Student May Have a Drug Problem:
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, restlessness, insomnia, concentration problems, sweating, tremors, anxiety).
- After reducing or stopping chronic drug use, taking a drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from the effects of a drug.
- Abandoning previously-enjoyed activities, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, in order to use drugs.
- Neglecting school, work, or family responsibilities.
- Taking risks while high, such as starting a fight or engaging in unprotected sex.
- Continuing to use despite physical problems (e.g., blackouts, flashbacks, infection, injuries) or psychological problems (e.g., mood swings, depression, anxiety, delusions, paranoia) the drug has caused.
- Legal troubles such as arrest for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit.
What You Can Do
- Treat the situation as a serious problem.
- Share your concern and encourage the student to seek help.
- Recognize that denial is a powerful aspect of substance abuse problems and that it can involve conscious or unconscious lying and distortion of the truth.
- Refer the student to Personal Counseling 401.865.2343 or the Student Health Center 401.865.2422.
- If an overdose, needing immediate response call 911 or the Office of Public Safety 401.865.2222.