Alcohol and Drug Services and Resources
We perceive the relationship of person to substances to be an intricate and progressive interaction. Our goal is to educate our students on healthy practices and offer opportunities to increase help seeking behaviors with the support of our on campus committee, registered student organization, outreach, and counseling services. The Student Handbook: Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities outline our campus amnesty policy on addressing emergency situations related to substance use. Our resources are described below, and for more information on the effects of substances please visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse.
*Recognized by the TN Collegiate Recovery Initiative, University of Memphis is a Recovery Friendly Campus.*
Services
Interested in assessing your relationship with substances? The Counseling Center can help using BASICS!
What is BASICS?
Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a prevention program for college students who are at risk for alcohol-related problems. Following a harm reduction approach, BASICS aims to motivate students to reduce alcohol use in order to decrease the negative consequences of drinking. The BASICS sessions at the University Counseling Center are $35.
What does it look like?
The program is conducted over the course of two 50-minute sessions. As a harm-reduction approach, BASICS aims to motivate students to reduce risky behaviors. During the first interview, information is gathered about the student's alcohol consumption pattern, personal beliefs about alcohol, understanding of social alcohol norms, and family history. The second interview, which occurs about 2 weeks after the initial interview, provides the student with personalized feedback on his or her patterns of drinking, typical and peak blood alcohol concentration, and comparison of drinking patterns with other college students of the same age and gender. Moreover, the program challenges inaccurate alcohol norms and myths about alcohol's effects, highlights alcohol-related negative consequences, suggests ways to reduce future risks associated with alcohol use, and provides a menu of options to assist in making changes. Screening and referral for stepped-care treatment is also offered as needed.
To start your sessions go to our main page and use our virtual walk-in space.
On-Campus Resources
Alcohol and Drug College Campus Connect
The University of Memphis Alcohol and Drug College Campus Connect (ADCCC) serves the
students, faculty and staff by educating and supporting students on the health, safety,
and impact of alcohol and other drugs. According to the 2018 Healthy Mind Survey,
"50% of UofM students reported binge drinking in the past 2 weeks". With this information,
our committee is dedicated to implementing strategic prevention that will open dialogue
and dispel college social norms around substance use. We intend to create a culture
of awareness and understanding behind substance use and implement harm reduction strategies
geared towards a healthy campus environment and meaningful college experiences. With
partners such as the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campuses, we are able to host events and provide resources to our campus community.
For more information about this committee, contact counseling@memphis.edu.
Current ADCCC Members:
- Christopher Thorne Barksdale
- Robert William Adams, Ph.D
- Mollie Blair Anderson, Ph.D
- MK Tyler
- Marlon C Dechausay
- Justin T Lawhead, Ed.D
- James Murphy, Ph.D
- Regina Marie Werkhoven
- Amanda Virag
- Lincoln Coffman (Memphis Area Prevention)
If you are interested in student engagement, learn more about about our Students for Recovery and Sobriety Coalition!
ADCCC Annual Reports:
Online Trainings
The University of Memphis patterns with Vector Solutions SafeColleges to provide prevention trainings to ensure our students are informed to make healthy choices. The alcohol and other drug trainings available help students develop critical skills to make thoughtful and appropriate choices outside the classroom; become aware of key University policies and community values; reflect on knowledge, attitudes, and experiences; support peers as they navigate new situations; and contribute to building a University campus environment that promotes healthy, respectful interpersonal relationships and prevents the occurrence of alcohol and drug violations. A summary of available trainings are below. If you are interested in any of the courses please email counseling@memphis.edu with your name, email and courses you are interested in.
Summaries of AOD Courses:
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
33 minutes
Alcohol and Other Drugs is a reality-driven online course designed to educate students on the risks of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and to teach successful strategies for handling dangerous situations related to these substances. The course features four modules: Your GPA, Your Brain, Your Peers and Your Life. Each section provides extensive, research-backed evidence of the detrimental effects alcohol and other drugs can have, and how social skills and interactions can help reduce harm associated with these substances. (Featuring Not Anymore content) - Alcohol and Other Drugs (Refresher)
16 minutes
Alcohol & Other Drugs (Refresher) is designed to remind students of the dangers they face from alcohol and other drugs. Using powerful real-life testimonials, peer presenters and engaging motion graphics, this course helps students better understand why they struggle with alcohol and/or other drugs, and suggests avoidance strategies and other tactics. (Featuring Not Anymore content) - Alcohol and Other Drugs – Sanctions
48 minutes
Alcohol and Other Drugs - Sanctions is a reality-driven course designed for students in need of additional training on these topics. This course helps students better understand why they struggle with alcohol and/or other drugs, and suggests avoidance strategies and other tactics that fit their personalities. Students will also better understand the negative effects these substances can have on academic performance, physical and mental health, as well as their social lives now and after college. (Featuring Not Anymore content) - Prescription Addiction – Opioids
45 minutes
Prescription Addiction - Opioids is a reality-driven course designed to help address America’s opioid epidemic. Featuring personal insights from 12 recovering opioid addicts, the devastating reality of opioid abuse is presented, along with key advice for avoiding or dealing with opioid addiction. Based on the latest research and featuring peer presenters and engaging motion graphics, Prescription Addiction—Opioids will give students a new perspective on opioids, as well as on those who suffer from opioid addiction. (Featuring Not Anymore content) - Prescription Addiction – Stimulants and Depressants
40 minutes
Prescription Addiction - Stimulants and Depressants is a reality-driven course designed to help address student abuse of prescription stimulants ("study drugs" such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse) and/or users and abusers of prescription depressants (such as Xanax, Ambien, and Valium.) Featuring personal insights from numerous former users and abusers of these drugs, the dangerous reality of abuse is presented, along with key advice for avoiding or dealing with addiction to and/or abuse of these substances. (Featuring Not Anymore content) - Alcohol Awareness for Students
25 minutes
Often, students underestimate the potentially dangerous effects of alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking can lead to poor grades, addiction, violence, sexual assault, drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, and in some cases, death. This course provides college students with important awareness of issues related to alcohol and some precautions to consider. - Drug Awareness and Abuse
40 minutes
College students may be exposed to a variety of drugs on college campuses. Drug use can lead to poor grades, addiction, violence, sexual assault, arrest, expulsion, serious health problems and even death. This course provides college students with awareness of issues related to drug use and abuse and some precautions to consider.
Screeners:
Use the "Alcohol & Substance Misuse Screener" screener through MHA to assess your current relationship with substances. Your results are anonymous. However, we encourage you to take your results to a helping professional if there is cause for concern.
Clinics:
Psychological Service Center Drug and Alcohol Clinic serves the Greater Memphis community and University of Memphis students by providing low-cost telehealth services. See the flyer here for more information!
Off Campus Resources
https://memphisprevention.org/
AA.ORG
NA.ORG