“The Other Talk”Continuing the Drug Prevention Conversation with

your Soon-to-be College Student

Traci WojciechowskiRegional Director of Student Assistance Programs

Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Quick Facts• Nationally recognized behavioral healthcare and

addiction treatment facility

• Addiction treatment services (60 year history)

• Student assistance services/prevention (26 year history)

• Offers a full spectrum of treatment programs to meet the needs of everyone (adolescents to seniors)

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Objectives

• To provide accurate information about alcohol and other drugs available on campus

• To establish the importance of communicating the right messages to your child regarding alcohol and drug use

• To brainstorm ways for ensuring a successful transition for both you and your new college student

Parent’s Top 10 Fears about Sending a Child off to College

1. Overall safety

2. Losing communication

3. Developing a new relationship with my child

4. My child making poor judgments

5. The dangers of drugs and alcohol

6. My child’s inability to handle newfound freedom

7. My inability to let go

8. Dealing with the new empty nest at home

9. My changed role as parent

10. My changed relationship with my spouse

Student’s Top 10 Fears about going off to College

1. Not being happy at the school I choose

2. Disliking my roommate

3. That my parents won’t trust me on my own

4. Missing my high school friends

5. Homesickness

6. That college won’t be what I expected

7. Choosing a major

8. That I’ll struggle academically

9. Constant contact from my parents

10. Financial problems

Drugs of Concern

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Marijuana

• Nicotine

• Prescription Drugs

• And more….

Nicotine Products

While cigarette smoking rates are at an all time low, rates of use of other nicotine products have been on

the rise.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiP-de6jdXLAhVKRiYKHQ0bD9oQjRwIBw&url=http://rehab-international.org/drug-addiction/help-for-college-students&bvm=bv.117218890,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNEYZH6zyUIlOrB9RphOE6Iom72Kdg&ust=1458763980228679

Marijuana: How is it Used?

• Joints

• Bowls/pipes

• One hitters

• Vape Pens

• Vaporizers

• Bongs

• Blunts

• Jewelry

• Edibles

• Dabbing11

Marijuana Use in College• Problems with memory & learning

• Distorted Perception

• Trouble with thinking & problem-solving

• Loss of motor control

• Increased heart rate

• Apathy

• Mental Illness

• Legal ramifications

• Increased chance of other drug addiction

Stimulant Medications

• Often prescribed to treat ADD and ADHD

• Ritalin® or Adderal® most commonly abused

• “Academic Doping”; “Diversion”• Similar effects to cocaine and

meth when abused• Taken orally, snorted or injected• Signs and symptoms: increased

BP, heart rate and body temp, decrease in sleep and appetite, paranoia

Consequences of Use

• Excessive drinking and other drug use

• Lower GPA

• Lower perception of risk

• Attention difficulties

• Psychiatric distress or depressed mood

• Skipping class

Risky Opioid Use for College-Age Youth

• Almost 16% said they have used pain pills not prescribed to them at some point in their lifetime

• 22.5% among those who are or were in intercollegiate sports

• Easy to get

• Think they are less risky than heroin

• Don’t know where to turn for help

What do Rx OpioidsLook Like?

Rx Opioids often go by the street names:

Oxy…OC…M…Sister-Morphine…Hydros…Tabs…Demmies

Alcohol Use in College

The College Environment:

Availability of Alcohol + Absence of Parents

+ Desire to fit in______________________________________

= Potentially Risky Drinking Decisions

» Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Alcohol Trends

• Drinking games

• Pre-Gaming

• Alco-Pop drinks

• Alcohol and energy drinks

• Pocket Shots

• Boozie Bears

• Palcohol

• Combining with RX drugs

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“Drunkorexia”

• Recent study of 1200 college students found up to 80 percent were doing the following in combination with binge drinking:

– Restricting calories

– Over exercising

– Purging

– Using laxatives

The Magic of 21

• Brain growth continues until 21+, in areas of:–Maturity–Self-control–Emotional balance–Social skills– Intelligence–Personality–Rational decision making

» Teens Under the Influence by Ketchum & Pace

College Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

• According to the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC),

– 19% of college students ages 18–24 met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence

– 5% of these students sought treatment for alcohol problems in the year prior to the survey, and

– 3% of these students thought they should seek help but did not

Problems Drinkers Face in College

Problems Non-Drinkers Face Due to Other’s Alcohol Use

• Having their study or sleep interrupted

• Having to take care of a drunken student

• Being insulted or humiliated

• Having unwanted sexual advances

• Having a serious argument

• Having their property damaged

• Being physically assaulted

• Being a victim of sexual assault

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Current alcoholuse

Binge drinking Drank alcoholbefore age 13

Mostly A's

Mostly B's

Mostly C's

Mostly D's/F's

Impact on Grades

Figure 1. Percentage of high school students who currently drank alcohol, drank alcohol for the first time before age 13 years, had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row (binge drinking), and drank alcohol on school property, by type of grades earned (mostly A’s, B’s, C’s, or D’s/F’s)—United States, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009

Their degree won’t matter…

“Must represent good moral character.”

Should a background check reveal an alcohol-related misdemeanor or felony, it could prevent a college graduate from entering the career of his/her choice.

Influence of Living Arrangements

• The proportion of college students who

drink varies depending on where they live

• Highest drinking rates:

o in fraternities and sororities

o on-campus housing

• Lowest drinking rates:

o living independently off-site (e.g., in apartments)

o live with their families and commute

The Power of Parenting

• Just because they are legally “adults” doesn’t mean they know how to act like one

• As a parent you continue to be a primary influence in your son’s or daughter’s life

“The Talk”• Not a one time event

• Help them to understand:

– the risks of drug and alcohol abuse

–how to turn down a drink and how to have fun on campus without drinking

– The need to be their own person and not be pressured by others

– Your expectations that they obey the law and treat their bodies with respect

“The Talk”

• What are the key points you want to cover for getting started?

• What will you build on for your next conversation?

• Let’s come up with some questions!

Sample Questions• How will you decide whether or not to drink at college?

• What will you do if your roommate really enjoys drinking and partying?

• What will you do if you find yourself at a party with only alcohol to drink?

• What else is there to do on campus besides go to parties on weekends?

• What will you do if a friend of yours wants to drive home and they are intoxicated?

• How can you participate in the social activity of going to parties, but not drink?

• What are the resources on campus for you or a friend if you have concerns about alcohol?

• If you do plan to go out and drink, how to you plan to stay safe?

• Do you know what the consequences are for alcohol violations at your school?

• If you bring a friend home from a party, and they are really drunk, what will you do?

• What plan are we going to make so you can feel free to call us if you are in trouble or don't know how to handle a situation

Sample

“I know you’re off to start your own life, but please know that I’m always here for you. I

respect that you’re old enough to make your own choices, but if you ever want another

perspective on things, please reach out to me. I’ll try my hardest to help you out without judging

you for your decisions. Sound good?”

Continue the Conversation

• Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking and using drugs, including abusing prescription drugs not prescribed to him

• Remind your child that it is OK to ask for help-whether for academics, stress or mental health

• Ensure your young adult knows they are valued for who they are, not what they achieve

• Prepare them with alternative coping mechanisms e.g. breathing techniques, mindfulness and other tools to help them relax

Visiting the Campus

• Talk to current students, residence hall advisors, faculty, & police

• Check the bulletin boards

• Pick up copies of student newspapers

• Wander through the residence halls

• Stroll through the neighborhood

Do Your Homework!

• Research the alcohol policies of potential colleges

• During campus visits, ask:

o how they enforce underage drinking prevention

o whether the school sponsors alcohol-free social events

o what procedures are in place to notify parents about alcohol and substance abuse problems

o what counseling services are available to students

o if there is a Student Assistance Program

o how consistent the follow-up is on students who exhibit alcohol abuse and other problem behaviors

o if they mandate an alcohol education program for incoming freshman

Do Your Homework! (cont…)• Inquire about:

– How dorms are monitored (RA’s?)

– whether alcohol-free dorms are available

– if there are Friday morning classes

– the influence of fraternities and/or sororities on the overall social atmosphere at the college

– the average number of years it takes to graduate

– the emphasis placed on athletics on campus and whether tailgating at games involves alcohol

– the number of liquor law violations and alcohol-related injuries and deaths the campus has had in previous years

Whom to ask?

• Alcohol/other drug prevention staff• Admissions• Dean of Students• The President• Health Services• Campus security/police• Greek Affairs• Judicial Affairs

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

First 6 Weeks of College are Crucial

• Stay in contact• Understand:

– Campus Alcohol Policy– How to connect with campus counseling programs– College’s “parental notification” policy

• Inquire about their roommates and the roommates’ behavior • Make sure that your student understands the penalties for:

– underage drinking – public drunkenness– using a fake ID– driving under the influence– assault

• Reinforce that alcohol use can lead to significant consequences

What to do if you suspect your college student has a drinking/drug problem?

• Be aware of the signs:

– Drop in grades

– Never available or reluctant to talk with you

– Unwilling to talk about activities with friends

– Trouble with campus authorities

– Serious mood changes

Suspect your college studenthas a drinking/drug problem?

• Allow them to face the consequences (i.e. Don’t pay their fines for them)

• Call and/or visit campus health services and ask to speak with a counselor

• Attend Parents’ Weekend and other campus events open to parents

• Stay actively involved in the life of your son or daughter

• Find appropriate treatment

Recovery Schools

• 150+ colleges and universities in the U.S. offer a Collegiate Recovery program

How else can you prepare for life with a college student?

If your child leaves home to live on campus…

• It changes the dynamics of the family left behind

o Will your college student keep his or her bedroom or will a sibling take over that room?

o How often will you see your college student and what kind of communication will you have?

o How will you deal with your son or daughter when he or she comes home for holiday break as a more independent individual?

If your child commutes from home…

• In what ways will the house rules change for the college student?

• Will your freshman still have a curfew?

• If time demands on your student increase, will he/she be expected to have the same household chores and responsibilities?

The Residential Student…

• Encourage him/her to remain on campus during the weekends as it will help make the adjustment to college life easier and quicker

• Encourage him/her to become involved in campus activities

• Encourage your child to accept the responsibility to establish good health habits

The Residential Student…

• Avoid the temptation to be a "helicopter parent”

• Establish communication expectations before they go away

• How your student exits high school is an indication of how they will enter college

• Help them work out a budget

• Set a limit on credit cards that you co-sign (such as $500)

Tips for Supporting your College Student

1) Stay Connected

2) Check-in

3) Be Knowledgeable about Campus Resources

4) Continue to have Difficult Conversations

5) Ask Questions-But Not Too Many

6) Expect Change

7) Do Not Tell your Student That These Are the “Best Years of Your Life”

8) Trust your Student

*2016 Regents of the University of Michigan

Helpful Resources

• Caron: www.caron.org

• SAMHSA: www.samhsa.gov

• Al-Anon: www.al-anonalateen.org

• The Partnership: www.drugfree.org

• www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov

• BigFuture: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents

• University Parent: http://www.universityparent.com/

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