Substance Abuse Services
Drug/Alcohol Screening and Consultation
A credentialed drug and alcohol counselor is available to provide drug and alcohol screening to determine if a student's use warrants referral to a drug and alcohol treatment center. Consultation is available to faculty and staff members who are concerned about a student's alcohol or drug use pattern, class attendance, or academic performance. Students who wish to examine their own alcohol/drug use and associated behaviors or those of a friend or family member are welcome to contact Substance Abuse Services for consultation.
The Substance Abuse Educational Specialist provides ongoing consultation and outreach within both the Nazareth campus and the Pittsford community. Upon request, the Substance Abuse Educational Specialist is available to meet with groups of students in academic courses, residence halls, clubs, and local classrooms to facilitate group discussions, provide information and resources, and offer presentations on topics related to substance use/misuse.
Preventative Programming
Substance Abuse Services, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse Education Committee, sponsors:
- Alcohol-free social events
- Motivational speakers on alcohol/drug-related topics
- Awareness Campaigns (National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Safe Spring Break, National Smoke Out Day)
- Residence hall programs on alcohol and drug harm reduction strategies
- Athletic team programs (prevention of acute alcohol poisoning, and alcohol and other drug use and its effect on performance)
- Prevention oriented presentations for classes and at first-year student Orientation.
- Alcohol and substance use/misuse training to student athlete mentors and peer health educators who are trained to educate and advise their peers on a variety of health and wellness issues.
Individual and Group Counseling
Counseling is short term, confidential, and free. Counseling provides assistance with a wide range of emotional concerns including, but not limited to, stress management, adjusting to college, coping with peer pressure, building healthy relationships, and the role of alcohol in your life.
Services provided:
- Assessment
- Short-term individual counseling
- Support groups
- Referrals to private therapists, treatment programs, and groups in the community
- Consultation to college staff and faculty members on addressing alcohol/drug problems of students
Common concerns of students include:
- To better understand/modify their drinking behaviors
- To learn healthier, more effective ways to manage anger and stress
- To discuss concerns about the drinking or drug use patterns of roommates, friends, teammates, or family members
Support Groups
Opportunities are provided for mutual support and education relating to specific issues and concerns such as recovery skill building/sober support, adult children of alcoholics support, and how to help/cope with a close friend's chemical dependency issues.
Support groups are offered each semester and are facilitated by Counseling Services staff. Groups are free, confidential and short term, usually running for 4-6 weeks. A pre-group interview with a therapist is required.
Student Athlete Mentors
Student athletes are selected by their teams and coaches to serve as role models and the primary substance abuse prevention resource for teammates. Student athlete mentors receive 12 hours of intensive training on a variety of topics including active listening, alcohol and substance issues, sexual health, confrontation, eating disorders, and referral resources. Student athlete mentors are required to present two prevention-oriented programs to their respective teams each academic year.