Substance Use & Addiction

Substance use and addiction is a national health issue that affects millions of Americans every year. Addiction is an illness that impacts the individual but also their loved ones and family members. This page is meant to provide you with information surrounding addiction, including what exactly addiction is, what treatments are available locally as well as some supports and resources to assist family members with a loved one with addiction. Please feel free to reach out to a Counseling & Psychological Services member if you would like more information.

Alcohol & Drug Information

These resources give an overview of alcohol and drug use, as well as commonly abused drug and their effects.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse

Commonly Abused Drugs Chart

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a common term, but what exactly is it? Addiction is a brain disease that causes an individual to continue using a substance even though the individual wants to stop or physically can’t stop. Addiction is more than a moral failing of the individual. There is a tremendous amount of neuroscience and brain chemistry needed to understand what is actually taking place in addiction. These resources provide deeper information regarding the science of addiction, how addiction does not discriminate, and how to support someone with addiction.

Addiction Can Affect Anyone

Why Can’t They Just Quit Using?

The Science of Addiction

How to Support Someone with an Addiction

Do I Have an Alcohol/Drug Problem?

Consuming drugs and/or alcohol does not mean that the individual is addicted to the substance. In order to determine if treatment is needed, an individual would need to have an assessment completed to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria. One quick tool to determine if you need an assessment would be to complete the attached quick screening tools. If you complete a screening and it shows that an assessment may be needed, contact any of the treatment providers listed under the Treatment Providers Tab. If you would like to talk to someone about your drug use prior to completing an assessment, please feel free to schedule an appointment with a Counselor or Psychologist at your Campus’ Counseling and Psychological Services Center.

Alcohol Use

Substance Use

Counseling & Psychological Services

Supporting Someone with a Substance Use Disorder

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

Support Groups

Support groups are great resources to help individuals realize that substance addiction impacts the entire family and that support is available. Each of the resources listed below have a different target.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous

Al-Anon