Alcohol and Drug Services
UCS offers a variety of services for students concerning the sensitive issue of alcohol use, drug abuse and dependency. Alcohol and drug abuse can affect people in a variety of ways and can impact individuals, friends and family members. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 14 million Americans (7.4 percent of the population) meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. More than one-half of American adults have a close family member who is an alcoholic, and approximately one in four children younger than 18 years in the United States is exposed to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence in the family.
Services at UCS
Learn how to keep track of your drinking and determine whether you need help.
Students who are concerned about a friend's use can seek consultation to learn how to effectively get help for their friend. Students who have been affected by a family member's use can meet one-on-one with a therapist to talk about their experience growing up with an alcoholic or drug-abusing person. They also can learn how to have a healthy relationship with their family member.
UCS offers groups for those affected by drinking. Students Helping Students is a group facilitated by students in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse that are looking to help other students who are interested in learning about recovery. Students can learn about
their own use and how to cut back to a healthy, responsible level.
A New Beginning is a group for students who have been touched by addiction. Whether you grew up in a home with an active or recovering parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc., or have had a close friend who abuses substances, you have been affected by addiction. Learn how this experience has affected your life and your relationships while freeing yourself from the familiar family struggles that often arise in such homes.
There are two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) self-help groups held on campus. For more information about AA or recovery meetings, please contact
Amy Salim at the counseling center.
PRS is a program designed to help students achieve sobriety through substance abuse prevention, education, Recovery House living and campus-community alliances.
eCHECKUP TO GO is an online interactive survey that students can take to
learn about their alcohol use. Students will be given
individualized feedback about their use and can then talk about their
results to a therapist at the counseling center.
University Policies
The university has developed specific policies regarding the sale
and use of alcohol on campus, as well as policies regarding the possession and use of illegal drugs.
Resources for Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff can consult with the counseling center when
concerned about a student. Simply call UCS at 216.368.5872 and someone will speak with you by
phone. Or, you can come in and meet with a therapist. Faculty and
staff who are seeking help for their own alcohol or drug use can find
services through the Employee Assistance Program.
University Counseling Services works closely with several treatment
facilities within the Cleveland area as well as throughout the country.
If students choose to seek services elsewhere or need a higher
level of treatment, such as inpatient care, they can consult with the
counseling center to find treatment to best address their needs.
We provide a wealth of links to experts across the country, so you can learn more about alcohol, drugs and addiction.