Student Service
Drug and Alcohol Problems
Introduction
· Realising that we might have a problem with drugs or alcohol is an important first step in the recovery process.
· Although the Student Counselling Service Is not able to offer a treatment programme to students with drugs or alcohol issues, we are here to talk about the problem and also to help students connect with specialist drug and alcohol services
Could I have a problem?
Here are some indicators that a person might have a problem with a substance:
· Using alcohol/ drugs to escape problems
· A high tolerance level
· Blackouts – sometimes not remembering what happened while intoxicated
· Problems at college or at work as a result of drinking or drug use
· Concern shown by family and friends about drinking or drug use
· Noticing a change in friendship group to those who also use
· Finding a reason to use drugs/alcohol independent of feelings (e.g drinking to celebrate, drinking to drown sorrows)
Alcohol and Drugs affect us not just physically but also psychologically:
· Lowers our ability to resist self-harming.
· They can cause depression or trigger anxiety
· Drug use may lead to psychosis (loss of reality)
· Lowers our inhibitions, leading to greater risk of violence and unwanted sexual encounters
· Numerous long-term health risks.
Support and Information
If you would like to speak to a Counsellor about alcohol or drug use, please contact us or make an appointment to see your GP.
Alcoholics Anonymous provide information about problem drinking and details of local support groups and recovery programmes
Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. Includes Alateen for 12 – 17year olds.
Narcotics Anonymous provide information about drug abuse and details of local support groups.
FRANK provides a comprehensive A-Z of drugs, a twenty-four hour helpline and online support.
Drugscope is a charity providing an online encyclopaedia of drugs and a directory of help sources.
Know Cannabis is a website that can help you assess your cannabis use, its impact on your life and how to make changes if you want to.