I recently found out that my school (A state university in the US, I am not naming for confidentiality) has free programs and counseling for drug addiction. I don't' know how comprehensive it is, but it is a good start for those looking for help and those who don't want to pay for an expensive program. I looked online, and many other universities and community colleges have counseling centers that offer similar services. To those looking for free/low cost options, look into what is offered by your school! If you are already paying tuition, you might as well take advantage of the resources available to you.
I wonder if students would worry about the stigma of it all. The school "knowing" that they have a problem, and they are getting treatment. I'd hate to hear that students don't reach out to these resources because they fear backlash or judgement from the institution itself. What do you think?
This is good to know! I wonder if local community colleges offer this as well. If so, then I would sign up for a few pass/fail classes to get student status to use these services. Paying for a few units beats paying medical bills.
Although that's really great that your school and other academic institutions out there are thinking about the welfare of students, it's just disconcerting to know that the academe seems to have accepted the status quo: that there are students abusing substances. I wonder if those institutions are also initiating preventive measures to discourage substance abuse including random drug testing.
It's hard to take a University serious when they talk about prevention, when on any given weekend you can hit 10 houses that have kegs out front, and don't even hide it.
I totally agree with what a few of you are saying. They provide support after the even but don't do enough to condone the excesses and associated anti-social behavior. I kind of think that they're too scared to shift the status quo and be draconian as that could scare off potential new students. And students = cash.
That's the first thing I thought of when reading this article as well. I feel like students would be really uncomfortable with letting their university know that they have an addiction or a problem of that magnitude..most colleges expel for even rumored drug use. I can imagine that a lot of students would shy away from such programs entirely.
There is just simply no way to trust that a Uni will not use that information in a negative way. Even if not for expulsion, most students do not want this to affect everything from activities to internships. I think that there is a reason anonymity is so prevalent in recovery, we can barely trust ourselves at times, let alone trust people who hold our future in their hands.
I am aware that many learning institutions have drug rehabilitation or counselling programs but I barely believe if they are effective enough or even active at all. Most of them offer general counselling to students but rarely deal with voluntary cases of addiction from students. This is obviously due to the backlash that students fear when it comes to admitting their addiction problems. Unfortunately, most universities and colleges are so strict about drug use but do little to stop the problem.
That is great and most of the people who start the groups or councelling have studied for it. It is against the rules to discriminate students with problems and they are not really allowed to openly judge students who use their initiative by going to councelling where they can feel safe. The councelling at school or university is confidential and a councellor can be discredited by wavering the privacy of the addict.
Tasha, you're right of course, but not being "allowed" does not mean it's not going to happen either. While they may night outright discriminate against a student, you really have no control over what gets said behind closed doors either. I'm sure being discredited is a deterrent, if it can be proved, and someone has the money to fight it, and they win... then again, we might be talking about "discrediting" someone that does not yet have credentials if they are other students & volunteers. It's iffy, to say the least.
I agree and think this is a great idea. Many people especially in college who are having trouble with addiction or similar things should go look at their university first to see if their university has any opportunities / ability to help them.
It is sad if people are in need of help and they are discrimanted against because of trying to get help. I think in most universities and colleges people and faculty are happy if you have the courage and strength to fight and surrender to a problem. Naturally if you have caused problems with students and teachers than yes, they probably will be talking about it in the tea room but most councellors keep what happens inside, confidential. Especially if you are learning to become a psychologist or you are one, you do make an oath of your own to protect those who you are trying to help.
Thank you for letting us know! I am going to university next year and I will check when I get there if they have something similar to this program. This can really come in handy in the near future if one of my friends try substances or something of the sort.
Most colleges and institutions of higher learning are afflicted by the drug menace and it's time the authorities stopped burying their head in the sand and confronted this issue head-on. The free rehab programs are a step in the right direction and i hope all colleges will follow suit.
You are right, most of them could fear, they might think that they might get exposed, but if they do have a problem they really want to get rid of, they should put everything aside and go for it/
That is a good idea, having help right on the campus, to top it off, it is free or low costing, people should take advantage of it.
As drug and alcohol dependence is a huge problem in our nation a lot of colleges are now starting programs to help students that may be suffering with this issue. People would be wise to support these programs and to utilize this resource if they need it. Try to ignore the judgment and worry more about getting yourself in a healthy and stable place. There is a lot to be said about having the courage to help yourself even when others will turn their nose up at you.
I think that sometimes ignoring the judgements of those around you is a lot easier said that done. Has anyone here experienced something like this? How have you handled it?
This is quite common actually in my country the Universities have free counselling, meetings, and even rehab for substance abusers. I'm not sure if it counts but the Guild of Students also provides a detox station at every party or event likely to have alcohol.