Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction

Drug and alcohol use most often start out recreationally and college students typically do not set out to develop an addiction. What begins as social or moderate use can progress over time into a higher tolerance and a need for larger amounts of the drug or alcohol to gain the same effects as before. This process can be the start of an addiction and can go unnoticed by the user. Many students have a co-occurring mental health disorder that might be related to their alcohol or drug use. Treatment is crucial for college students' success and treating the underlying mental health problem is key to a successful recovery.

Below are some common signs that alcohol and /or drug use has become addictive or problematic for the user:

• Grades start to deteriorate / missing class or work
• Student conduct, legal or judicial entanglements
• Decreased interest in extracurricular college activities / increased isolation
• Shifts in sleeping patterns
• Mood swings – agitation, anger, depression
• Reckless behavior
• Defensiveness, denial and or avoidance when talking about the topic
• Financial problems
• Relationship problems

Other Addictions

In addition to drugs and alcohol, college students may struggle with tobacco, nicotine, gambling, internet or video gaming abuse or addiction, to name a few. If you are concerned that things might be getting out of hand or that you might be struggling with an addiction, the Counseling Center is here to help.

Drexel University Policies

Students, faculty, and staff should be familiar with Drexel's polices and codes of conduct related to drugs and alcohol.

• Drexel Alcohol Policy 
• Drexel Drug Policy 

Brief Screening Tools

*Please note these assessment tools are brief screeners and do not replace a thorough clinical evaluation by a trained professional.

Screening Tools for Alcohol and Substance Use

• AlcoholScreening.org
• DrugAbuse.gov

Screening Tool for Problem Gambling

• National Council on Problem Gambling

Screening Tool for Sexual Addiction

• Healthy Place

Area 12-Step/Peer-Led Recovery

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Southeastern Pennsylvania Inter-Group Association of Alcoholics Anonymous 
  Great resource to find local AA meetings and get updated on events!
• Narcotics Anonymous
  Greater Philadelphia Region of Narcotics Anonymous 
  Find local NA meetings and events here!
• SMART Recovery
  Self-Management and Recovery Training 
  Find local meetings, helpful tools and event information here!
• Alanon
  Alanon/Alateen Family Groups 
  Find local meetings and information here!

Philadelphia Resources

• Philadelphia Collegiate Recovery Haven (formerly known at the Haven at Drexel)
  Offers a residential community for college students, including Drexel students, who are in recovery
  208 N. 35th Street
  215.282.6686 or info@phillycollegiaterecovery.com
• Rehab After Work 
  1420 Walnut St, Suite 500
  610.644.6464

For additional resources that may better fit your needs, please reach out to our Case Manager to find a referral that might be right for you. You can reach us at 215.895.1415 or email us at counsel@drexel.edu.

Online Resources

• Building My Vaping Quit Plan 
• Internet Addiction 
• Video Game Addiction 
• JED Foundation Alcohol & Substance Use Disorders 
• BeTobaccoFree.gov 
• College Drinking: Changing the Culture

The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, nor should it replace the consultation of a trained medical or mental health professional. Please note that outside links are not under our control, and we cannot guarantee the content contained on them.