Substance Use and Abuse Issues

Cornell College has written policies on use of alcohol and other drugs on campus. Check The Compass for policies related to alcohol and drug use.

Alcohol and other drug (whether prescription or illegal) misuse, abuse, and addiction can seriously impair academic performance and your future. Many college students cite "experimentation" with drugs and alcohol as a "right" during college and believe such experimentation is not dangerous. Check out some of the following information about alcohol and other drugs. Find out the facts; stop believing the myths.

Online Alcohol Screening
This link offers online screening for alcohol use, as well as screenings for other mental health-related concerns:  depression, bipolar disorder (aka manic depression), anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (aka PTSD), and eating disorders.

• Frequently Asked Questions about alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs and medications
• The ACOA Awareness Center has some great information and links regarding alcohol issues. A good site for ACOAs and also for others interested in alcohol and other issues.

If you are interested in finding out how to help yourself or someone else with an alcohol or drug use problem, contact the Counseling Center at ext. 4292. You might also check into the following resources:

www.coaf.org: Center on Addiction and the Family (formerly Children of Alcoholics Foundation), information on dealing with substance abuse in one's family.

www.drughelp.org: A confidential place where you can find the closest Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, treatment facilities, and support groups.

www.factsontap.org: Straight-forward information to help you explore how alcohol impacts your college experience.

www.acde.org: American Council for Drug Education, specific information on alcohol and other drugs.

www.fascets.org: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Education and Training Services, Inc.

www.al-anon.org: Al-Anon and Alateen help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend.

• Iowa Al-Anon/Alateen website

www.edc.org/hec: The higher education center for alcohol and other drug prevention.

www.aa.org: Alcoholics Anonymous, support and information for the individual who is abusing alcohol.

www.nida.nih.gov: The National Institute on Drug Abuse, accurate information on all drugs of abuse, and has info. specifically geared for parents and teachers, students, etc. Some info might be a little more geared to a younger population in the "student" section.

www.drugfreeinfo.org: Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center (ISAIC), find both substance abuse services and support groups (AA, NA, ACOA, etc) in the state of Iowa; also a great informational resource for students, parents, and others wanting to find out more about substances, general health, and violence prevention.

www.treatment4addiction.com: Treatment 4 Addiction.com has information on drug abuse, addiction, and treatment, including a treatment directory you can search by state.

Referrals

• 24/7 Iowa Drug and Alcohol Help Line
  866-242-4111 For substance abuse and gambling information, referral to treatment facilities and crisis counseling in Iowa.

• NCADD Hopeline
  1-800-622-2255 Will refer the caller to a local affiliate office of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Callers can also leave their name and address to receive written information about alcohol and other drug abuse. Touch tone phone is required. 24 hours.
  
  
• NAPARE (National Association of Perinatal Addiction Research Education) Alcohol, Drug, and Pregnancy Hotline
  800-638-BABY
  Provides information and counseling. 9 am - 5 pm CST, M-F
  

  
  

• 1-800-ALCOHOL (1-800-252-6465) National help and referral line for people with concerns about alcohol or drug use. 24 hours.

   

• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc
  1-888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666; U.S.); local contact, in Cedar Rapids (319) 365-5955
  Provides information about Al-Anon/Alateen and referrals for local meetings.

   

• Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc.
  212-870-3400; local 365-5955
  Provides information about AA and referrals for local meetings.

  
  

• SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) 24-Hour Toll-Free Treatment Referral Helpline
  800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)
  

  For individuals and family members dealing with substance abuse issues; provides referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations; callers can also order free publications and other information.
  

Related Internet Links

• CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse Web Site
• Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education (SHAPE)

Here are a few readings related to substance abuse. Some of these readings are available for check-out in Cole Library.

Substance Abuse:

• "Intervention: How to Help Someone Who Doesn't Want Help." A step-by-step guide for families and friends of chemically dependent persons. Author: Vernon E. Johnson, D.D. Johnson Institute Books, 1986.
• "The Addictive Personality: Roots, Rituals and Recovery." Going beyond the definition that limits addiction to the realm of alcohol and other drugs, The Addictive Personality uncovers the common denominators of all addictions and how, over time, an addictive personality develops. Author: Craig Nakken; Hazelden Books, 1988.
• "When Your Parent Drinks Too Much: A Book for Teenagers." A resource for understanding alcoholism, why you can't cure your parent's drinking problem, how you can 'detach' from the disease to improve your own life, how to handle the shame and guilt, and where to go for help. Author: Eric Ryerson. Facts on File Publications, 1985.

ACOA:

• "Adult Children of Alcoholics." A best seller that addresses the effects of family addiction on the adult child's past and present and how he or she can break the cycle. Author: Janet Geringer Woititz, Ed.D. Health Communications, Inc. 1983.
• "A Workbook for Healing: Adult Children of Alcoholics." A self-paced workbook for healing that offers specific exercises on how to evaluate childhood experiences with adult awareness, resolve lingering anger, sadness and pain, forgive the alcoholic parent in your past, and use affirmations to achieve peace of mind. Author: Patty McConnell. Harper & Row Publishers, 1986.
• "Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics." Are women who were raised in alcoholic families different from women raised in non-alcoholic families? This book brings together the thoughts, ideas and feelings of more than 1200 women as they examine the effects of family addiction on their adult lives. Author: Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D. Health Communications, Inc. 1989.
• "Co-Dependence: Misunderstood, Mistreated." An exploration of our view and understanding of co-dependence that goes beyond close relationships with a chemically dependent person to include troubled and unhealthy relationships in general. Author: Anne Wilson Schaef. Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986.