Alcohol & Other Drug Services

CAPS provides support for students who are reassessing their use of alcohol and/or drugs. Services include providing students individualized assessments to help them learn more about their substance use and the impact on their life.  In addition, students can work with a counselor to help them build and maintain motivation to reduce their usage, set personal goals, gain strategies for leading a more balanced life, and feel supported as they explore choices that are right for them.

AOD Assessment

The Alcohol and Other Drug assessment is a 45-minute individual counseling session, which typically includes a clinical interview to gather information about the student’s history of alcohol and/or drug use, as well as identifying any contextual factors contributing to the student’s experience. This helps in assessing the impact that the student’s use is having on their overall functioning and their ability to meet their personal goals. Additionally, the counselor may use the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) or the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) as a method of screening for unhealthy alcohol or drug use. These can help identify dependency and consequences of harmful use.

Treatment Options at CAPS

Depending on the student’s needs and readiness for change, specific treatment recommendations are provided. Treatment options within CAPS include individual counseling and self-help resources as well as service to target co-occurring psychiatric issues such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, self-help resources may include videos and smartphone apps, and group counseling may be appropriate to address co-occurring issues.  For needs that may be outside the scope of the agency’s services, the counselor may refer the student to a treatment program within or outside the community as appropriate. We also help students get connected with resources within and outside the campus community for additional support with recovery.