ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE |
Helpful and confidential resources for students include: |
University Counseling Center |
336-758-5273 |
Health Educator |
336-758-5937 |
Student Health Service |
336-758-5218 |
Alcoholics Anonymous (local) |
336-725-6031 |
Alcoholics Anonymous (national)
Referral Service and Treatment
Program, 24-hour helpline |
336-725-6031 |
Narcotics Anonymous
Referral Service and Treatment
Program, 24-hour helpline |
800-365-1036 |
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Alcoholics Anonymous
Winston-Salem/WFU Information |
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| For other off-campus referral options, consult with the University Counseling Center staff. |
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Substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse, is a significant problem on university campuses, including Wake Forest. Recent studies indicate that more than four in ten college students make high-risk choices about alcohol (i.e., defined for men as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages at one sitting during the past two weeks, and four or more drinks for women). College students with an "A" average consume 3.3 drinks/week, whereas students with a "D" or "F" average consume 9.0 drinks/week. Over 60% of students who have engaged in high-risk drinking three or more times in a two-week period miss class. Thus, high-risk drinking is not simply "part of the college experience", and should be taken seriously. Freshmen, in particular, begin their college experience with a newfound freedom that often results in alcohol and other drug abuse. This is often reflected in poor academic performance; involvement in sexual misconduct, including rape and sexual assault; aggression; and damage to property. Alcohol abuse frequently exacerbates problems students may also be encountering, particularly depression and anxiety, putting students at risk for even greater impairment. |
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The abuse of other drugs occurs with some frequency on college campuses. Marijuana use has increased over the past several years. The use of hallucinogens such as Ecstasy and GHB is not uncommon, and the use of cocaine or crack cocaine is also evident. The chronic abuse of these substances is of concern not only because of the ways that they affect students in virtually every aspect of their lives but also because of the dangers of combining substances, especially hallucinogens, sedative drugs, and alcohol. The abuse of alcohol and other drugs can also interfere with the efficacy and safe use of prescription medications including antidepressants and stimulant drugs such as Ritalin. |
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Alcohol and drug problems are often made evident by |
- Missing important classes/meetings
- a decrease in academic or athletic performance
- listlessness/poor concentration skills
- spoken references to high-risk drinking or partying.
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Any discussions that touch on alcohol and drug use should be taken seriously by you, and not be joked about or taken lightly. People with drug problems may look to you as a model of appropriate behavior. Serious, informed discussion is often the only means of correcting the misinformation peers provide regarding how much alcohol consumption is typical for college students. Such discussions can also be used to relay the staggering correlation between alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct, and alcohol abuse and academic performance. |
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To help someone you suspect has an alcohol or other drug abuse problem |
- choose a time and private place when the person will be most receptive
- make a statement expressing your care and concern for them
- describe the behavior that you have observed, including specifics as to time and place
- express concern about the behavior (such as missing classes, poor performance) and help the person understand the potential consequences of continuing these behaviors
- suggest that they talk with a staff member at the University Counseling Center (x5273), Student Health Service (x5218), or an outside agency (see resource list above)
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Because alcohol and other drug abuse also have legal ramifications, people are typically reluctant to confide in others regarding these matters. It may help to inform them that each of these resources above offers confidential services and is committed to providing help to students who experience problems with alcohol and other substances. |
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At Wake Forest, the judicial consequences for alcohol use and abuse are great. However, much more important is the potential for long-term consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse, particularly alcoholism and other drug addiction. |
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