Without a doubt alcohol abuse and its negative consequences are top student life problems facing many colleges today. That said, most Regis students and other college students across the country are not the "binge drinking fiends" portrayed by the media. Study after study concludes that most college students are making responsible decisions when it comes to alcohol use. Even fewer students are using marijuana or other illicit drugs.

Nevertheless, a subset of college students tends to drink more often and in a more dangerous fashion than the general population. The effects of this misuse can have serious consequences on their physical, emotional, financial, relational and academic lives. Alcohol poisoning, impaired driving, and unwanted sexual contact can alter lives forever. Substance abuse in college can also lead to the development of long-term destructive behavior patterns and dependence if left unchecked.

For these reasons Regis University takes substance abuse prevention very seriously. For the past several years Regis has been recognized nationally by winning the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week Award. Our prevention efforts include:

  • Primary Prevention - community-wide efforts to prevent substance abuse from every taking place
  • Secondary Prevention - focusing on high-risk students who may already be developing detectable evidence of problems

Substance Abuse Information

How do you know when someone has a drinking or substance problem?

Warning signs include:

  • Drinking alcohol or using drugs on a regular basis
  • Lying about the frequency or amount of drugs or alcohol they are using
  • Avoiding you and others in order to drink or use
  • Giving up activities they used to do such as sports, homework, or hanging out with friends who don't use drugs or drink
  • Having to use more alcohol or other drugs to get the same effects
  • Constantly talking about using drugs or drinking
  • Believing that in order to have fun they need to drink or use drugs
  • Pressuring others to use drugs or drink
  • Getting into trouble with authorities - parents, school administrators, police officers
  • Taking risks, including sexual risks and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Feeling run-down, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal
  • Suspension from school for an alcohol- or drug-related incident
  • Missing work or poor work performance because of drinking or drug use
  • Others' concern about the amount or frequency of alcohol or drug use

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a health and safety issue that more and more college and university students face and can lead to death. The following are symptoms of alcohol poisoning:

  • Unconsciousness, semiconsciousness, or being difficult to rouse
  • Slow breathing and heartrate
  • Unresponsive to pain (you can check this by pinching the back of their arm or other area of skin)
  • Pale or bluish skin, especially lips and fingernail beds
  • Uncontrollable vomiting

Please remember that not everyone experiencing alcohol poisoning will exhibit all of these signs. If someone is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, or if you are unsure, call 911 IMMEDIATELY! Make sure to turn the person on his/her side to prevent choking should the person vomit. Stay with the person until help arrives.

For Parents, Professors and Student Leaders

When freshman enter college, they begin a new journey in their life, and part of that transition is to figure out what role if any alcohol plays. The transition into college life is exciting, but it can also be stressful and confusing. New students must learn how to balance academic and social lives and cope with new challenges. As mentors, role models and confidants, you play an important role in this process.

WHAT CAN I DO?

  • Discuss with students the actual versus assumed college norms. Many students believe that all college students get drunk all the time. This simply is not true. Of those who choose to drink, most have five or fewer. Many choose not to drink at all.
  • Ask students what role they see alcohol playing in their college experience? If students do choose to drink, most will admit that alcohol plays a small but enjoyable part of the college experience.
  • Talk about the challenges of transition. Freshman usually want to make new friends quickly once they arrive on campus. They may also experience sadness at the separation from known friends and family. Alcohol is sometimes sought as a coping mechanism for these experiences. Help students find other ways to adapt to their new college life.
  • Encourage communication with roommates and other social influences. Help the student establish acceptable guidelines and appropriate social boundaries. Students who do not set limits risk exhaustion and illness.
  • Encourage students to take responsibility for their actions. Making choices and living with the consequences, good or bad, can be empowering. Mistakes can be important learning tools.
  • Suggest socializing without alcohol. Meeting people can happen in a number of ways. Clubs and organizations, intramural sports, and community service offer plenty of opportunities to meet people and learn something new.
  • Support students in efforts to either not drink or drink moderately when they are in situations where heavy drinking is occurring. Students are often concerned about "fitting in" and sometimes need encouragement to continue making the right choices. This includes not implicitly supporting irresponsible alcohol use, such as joking about alcohol use or intoxicated-related behaviors.
  • Be honest with your student about your own experiences with alcohol, especially important lessons you learned.
  • Ask students who drink "how will they know if they have a drinking problem"? Help students define realistic guidelines to become more self-aware.