This program provides evaluation and assistance in the prevention, education, and short-term treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. Resources utilized include an in-depth alcohol and substance use evaluation, video and reading material, an interactive computer program, an online alcohol education course and appropriate referrals for long-term inpatient and outpatient treatment. These strategies are aimed at reducing a student's risk for developing serious problems associated with the abuse of alcohol and other substances.

Students who are mandated by the Commandant's Office to participate in the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Program (ASAPP) are assessed and may then be placed in one or more levels of intervention. At the Initial Appointment, each student completes a Pre-Intake Assessment Packet. This packet includes numerous questionnaires intended to evaluate behaviors, perceptions, and expectations related to alcohol and drug use. Upon completion of the Pre-Intake Assessment Packet, the student will meet with a counselor for an in-depth, one-hour Intake Interview.

Once the Initial Appointment is finished, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled with the counselor. This begins with a Post-Intake questionnaire related to alcohol and drug use. Following this, the cadet will meet with the counselor for a Feedback Session. The purpose of the Feedback Session is to explore the effects the alcohol and/or drug use choices are having in the student's life. During the appointment, the questionnaire results and interview material will be discussed with the student; individual feedback will be provided; and the results will be used to recommend the appropriate level of intervention. The levels of intervention include:

1. Videos/Readings

2. Alcohol 101 CD-ROM

3. Alcohol Edu, Online Alcohol Education Course

4. Short-Term Counseling at The Citadel Counseling Center

5. Off Campus Referrals

Videos/Readings

These materials focus on helping students develop a more thorough understanding of personal risk factors and secondary effects as well as providing tips for reducing risk of alcohol and substance abuse.

Alcohol 101 - CD-ROM

 

Alcohol 101 is an interactive CD-ROM program developed by the University of Illinois in partnership with The Century Council. Alcohol 101 uses interactive video, audio, graphics, and text to provide students with information about alcohol and alcohol abuse prevention. It is designed to help college students make informed choices about drinking or not drinking alcohol as well as help them understand the consequences of these decisions.

Alcohol Edu

Alcohol Edu is an online, science-based course that provides detailed information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. Whether a student drinks moderately or abstains, this course will help empower students to make well-informed decisions about their own use of alcohol, as well as cope with the drinking behavior of peers.

This course is comprised of six chapters that cover the following topics:

• Chapter 1: Alcohol in Society
• Chapter 2: Alcohol Basics
• Chapter 3: Alcohol and Behavior
• Chapter 4: Alcohol Effects on Learning and Memory
• Chapter 5: Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
• Chapter 6: Other Effects of Alcohol Use

Each of these chapters is followed by quiz questions, interactive exercises, case studies, or a combination of the three. These activities help students review the content covered in the chapters. In addition, the course includes a Pre and Post Survey, as well as a comprehensive final test (40 questions). Students receive a passing or failing grade - a score of 65% or higher is required to pass the test. One month after students take the course, they will be e-mailed a follow-up survey. The course takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

Short-term Counseling at The Citadel Counseling Center

Counseling is available at the Counseling Center for students whose assessment appears to place them at moderate risk for current/future substance related problems.

Off Campus Referrals

Referrals will be provided for students whose assessment appears to place them at greater risk for current/future substance related problems or whose concerns are beyond the scope of the short-term services offered by The Citadel Counseling Center. Students may be offered off campus referrals for long-term counseling, inpatient treatment, or support groups like AA or NA.

AA Meetings: Days, Times, and Locations

AA meetings are available in the local community. Students are encouraged to call the Counseling Center for dates and times. Attendance at AA meetings is confidential. Cadets who need special orders to attend AA meetings should call the Counseling Center and schedule an initial intake appointment with a counselor.

Learn More about Alcohol Use

Drinking: What's "Normal" and What's Not

It's normal not to drink. Contrary to popular belief, not all students drink. It's also normal to drink moderately at some times and not drink at all at other times. When you drink, it's normal to know your limits and take steps to stay within them.

Ever "forget" what you did while drinking? Such blackouts aren't normal and they are dangerous. Alcohol in the brain causes information to be processed very crudely. It may not be stored in long term memory. So a person may have "gaps" when trying to remember what happened " the night before." Blackouts put a person at greater risk of alcohol-related injuries or death, unsafe sex, unplanned pregnancy, violence, acquaintance rape and legal troubles.

If you choose to drink, have a plan. Make decisions about your limit before you start drinking. It's tough to know when to stop if your judgment is impaired. Eat before you drink and eat while you're drinking to slow down alcohol absorption into the bloodstream. Space and pace your drinks. Alternate alcohol and non-alcohol drinks (your liver can only handle about one drink per hour -- the rest builds up in your bloodstream.) Avoid drinking games -- the purpose is to get you drunk fast. You can easily exceed your limit.

Don't drink if you really don't want to (learn ways to refuse drinks), if you are upset, anxious, or angry, if you're taking certain medications, or if you are driving.

Watch for these signs of unhealthy drinking:

• Have you had trouble remembering things that happened while you were drinking?
• Have you ever done things while drinking that you wouldn't do otherwise?
• Do you frequently suffer from signs of a hangover -- a dry "cotton mouth," fatigue, upset stomach, headaches, and sore muscles?
• Do you frequently vomit after drinking?
• Have you ever passed out while drinking?
• Is drinking interfering with your grades?
• Is your drinking causing problems with a partner, friends or family?
• Do you spend a lot of money on alcohol?
• Are you drinking more to get the same effect?
• Have you ever had withdrawal symptoms (felt sick when you weren't drinking, and felt better once you had a drink?)
• Have you injured yourself while drinking?

Better Things to Do Campaign

The College of Charleston's Counseling and Substance Abuse Services has launched a substance abuse prevention campaign. The campaign is centered around a website offering information on fun things to do on campus and in the Charleston area. The website also provides information on substances of abuse and getting help for substance related problems. In one and a half weeks, the site had over 1900 hits. We want alternatives to substance abuse to be in the foreground of our campus culture too. Check it out today. www.cofc.edu/betterthingstodo

You can also access this website by clicking on the links button and looking under Alcohol and Drugs.