Frequent use, misuse, and abuse of substances can have serious effects on a student’s academic and personal life. Wellspring’s substance abuse services are designed to raise awareness about the negative consequences associated with high-risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, and to motivate and encourage students to make responsible, safe, and healthy choices.
Students participating in any of the intervention and counseling services offered at Wellspring are encouraged to regulate their own behavior and to develop skills that will help them generate a plan for success. Throughout the process, students are challenged to take on new responsibilities that will foster positive change and provide them with the tools they need to achieve their personal and academic goals. The substance abuse services at Wellspring consist of:
- screening
- assessment
- individual counseling
- substance abuse treatment groups
- referral to extensive treatment programs
Through the use of researched-based screening and assessment tools and in combination with brief intervention and motivational interviewing strategies, the Wellspring professional staff will help students to (1) clarify any patterns of abuse, (2) identify areas of life that are being affected, (3) create strategies to reduce or eliminate AOD use, (4) identify social and emotional concerns that may contribute to abuse, and (5) learn about treatment options and resources.
On-going support can also be provided for students through individual counseling sessions and/or participation in an intervention group, “Taking Control of Substance Use: The Steps to Success.” It involves group discussions about the following concepts:
- Why so much?
- Automatic thoughts and behaviors and the campus environment.
- Cutting down is not an event, it’s a process.
- Discovering the power to and the power of change.
