Personal Counseling
ALCOHOL AWARENESS
It is the policy of the University of St. Francis that drinking under the age of 21 will not be encouraged or tolerated on campus or at University sponsored activities.
Brain and neurological development are at a peak during adolescence and at least until the age of 21. The use of alcohol and drugs during this time can impair normal brain development. This includes impairment of learned problem solving skills and ways of coping with emotion.
Binge drinking is a particular problem on and off college campuses. Binge drinking is comprised of drinking five or more drinks in one sitting for men, four or more for women, three or more times in a two week period. Heavy/Frequent drinking is defined as having five or more drinks at least one in the previous two weeks, and consuming some amount of alcohol on three or more occasions per week. These types of drinking are causing major problems on college campuses today, such as accidents, destruction of property, death due to car accidents, violent injuries, sexual trauma and academic failure.
There is no such thing as safe drinking. One can reduce the negative consequences of drinking; but not make it totally safe.
Tolerance to alcohol results from regular alcohol use. The body has a normal reaction to the presence of alcohol that causes an individual to stop or slow down his or her drinking. This is called "normal" tolerance. When one "blows past" these early warning signs and continues to drink, one’s tolerance to alcohol increases. This means that you do not experience these normal warning signs when you should. It is like having a defective smoke alarm in your home.
Many students believe that higher tolerance is a positive thing in that it allows more drinking and more positive psychological and social effects. In reality this is not the case. People with higher tolerance do not experience the peak positive effect from alcohol as they once did when they had normal tolerance. Also, the neurological and physiological depressive effects of alcohol are experienced more rapidly and more deeply. In addition, tolerance causes the liver to work harder in order to facilitate metabolism. Tolerance leads to increased financial cost and to increased risk of harm to self and others.
For students who may have some measure of concern about their drinking, the University Counseling office provides free alcohol and drug use assessments. Confidential assessments are also available through the University’s web site: See Alcohol and Drug Use Assessment. Students will be given a personal feedback report regarding their drinking or drug use that will be factual and no attempt will be made by anyone to coerce or otherwise impose change on any student. The decision to drink is yours as are its consequences. For a consultation call 740-3598.
The use of mood altering drugs by students or University employees without a prescription is illegal, regardless of age.
DRUG AWARENESS
Drug dependence occurs on both a psychological and physical level. Psychologically, one can develop a dependence on drugs in order to cope with stress. As one engages in the use of drugs in such a way, natural stress coping skills through relaxation, mindfulness, cognitive corrections, etc… are not learned and not reinforced. One
becomes less resilient and less confident that one can cope. As this occurs, reliance on chemicals increases.
Physiologically, the nervous system can begin to rely on the presence of drugs. In these cases, when these chemicals are not present, one begins to experience physical withdrawal symptoms that are quite painful, both physically as well as psychologically.
One can develop a neurobiological dependency on drugs even if they are prescribed. This is why one must have medical supervision when using drugs and when withdrawing
from them.
It frequently happens that a person’s initial reaction to a drug is much stronger and more pleasurable than subsequent uses. One can begin to "chase" the initial pleasure or relief.
In short, a person takes a drug, then the drug takes the drug, and then the drug can take the person.
Marijuana use has long been debated within the United States and around the world.
There is a pleasurable euphoria that develops after its use, just as there is an initial euphoria with very moderate alcohol use. The brain’s "reward" center is activated just as when we eat good food. The natural chemical, dopamine, is released in the brain and a sense of pleasure is induced. Typically after use, the person begins to feel sleepy or even depressed. In certain people, marijuana use can induce feelings of anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic.
Marijuana’s action on the Hippocampus in the brain will effect memory and recall. This can have a deleterious effect on students who are attempting to form new neural circuits and remember facts and concepts. Similar to alcohol, marijuana will effect balance, posture, coordination, reaction time, and judgment. These can lead to accidents and harm. About 6 to 11 percent of accident victims test positive for THC found in marijuana.
Being a true adult includes the ability to function in life in a courageous manner. Courage requires that we meet life on its own terms and not attempt to self administer drugs that weaken our ability to respond to life. Learning natural means of coping with stress will strengthen us and increase our natural resilience. This leads to strength of character. The use of non prescribed mood altering drugs gives us a short term gain, with long term weakening consequences. We urge you to meet life head on and to develop true strength of character.
If you would like to take a private and confidential alcohol and drug assessment, you
may do so by going to that part of the Personal Counseling Department’s web page
"Alcohol/Drug Assessment".
Students with concerns or questions about their alcohol or drug use may contact the Personal Counseling Department, 815-740-3598. If calling from within the University, just dial 3598. All services are confidential and protected by State of Illinois and Federal Confidentiality Laws. .