Popular culture tells us that substance use is a common part of the college experience. But what happens if things get a little too intense, or you start to worry…. “Is everyone really drinking as much as me?”
At USC Student Health, a specialized program exists to help students explore their relationship to substance use and even start building a plan to tackle addiction concerns. Services like this aren’t wholly unique – colleges across America offer similar resources – but not many are able to provide a fully in-house, integrated program like USC does, which focuses on the intersection of mental health, wellbeing, and medical care. One of the best parts of the program at USC Student Health? It is available at no additional cost, thanks to the student health fee.
We sat down with Ryan Brown-Tyler, PsyD and Christiana Grotlisch, LMFT about the program and how students can benefit from their team’s support.
Why Seek Support?
Students can come in for a substance use appointment even if they don’t self-identify as having an addiction. The most important thing, Christiana said, is to know that specialized appointments are available for students who want to examine their relationship to substances.
There is value in talking through your substance use as a college student, said Ryan. “This is a key time to avoid developing a future dependence. We encourage students who may want to explore how to have a healthy relationship with substances to talk about it now.”
“We are not an abstinence-based program,” Ryan said. “If that is your goal, then great! We will help you get there. But if you want to reduce your use, talk through what a healthier option or path might be, we are there with you to make your consumption as safe as possible. Our sessions are confidential and will stay that way, unless there is some imminent risk or safety concerns. We’re not here to judge you, and we are certainly not here to let your USC community know you are coming to see us.”
When it comes down to it, the substance use team at Counseling and Mental Health could be a great place to start discussing such a common component of college life, no matter your age, year, or existing habits.
The Battle Between Perception and Reality
Especially for first years, transfer students, and international students, college provides a huge culture shift. Suddenly, students have access to substances, or freedoms, they never had before; and there are a lot of new messages, pressures, and opportunities.
“Maybe you’re coming from a place where you can’t drink, or smoke, because those things are; or you’re trying to fit in or do what you think you’re supposed to do as a college student. Check in with yourself and your values to see how much or how little you want to engage in those activities. And if things feel off, resources are available to help,” shared Ryan.
“The reality is,” Christiana added, “that there are a lot more people who are not drinking at USC than students realize! Knowing what the reality is, like how we have a lot of students focused on academics, not partying, can help pull students out of that perception.”
Even so, Ryan says, it’s possible to already have an addiction. “The perception is that everyone is drinking as much as you are, or using as much as you are, and that often isn’t the case.”
Although drinking, smoking, and consumption may seem like an undergraduate-focused concern, substance use challenges can affect all levels of the student community.
“We see graduate students too. There are so many pressures they face, and their gatherings can be very substance-forward,” shared Ryan. “We can work together on other ways to decompress or bond without turning to alcohol every time.”
How Do You Know There’s a Problem?
Ryan and Christiana reminded us, there is no single moment, question, or experience that tells a student there may be a problem with substance use. And if there are red flags, students may not be ready to face them yet.
Ryan said, “It can be hard for us to look at our behavior and choices, or identify whether there may be a problem. Students may not know this, but we do have questionnaires that are designed to help them think through their experiences a little bit more. We also talk about their history, what’s bothering them, and more. The first intake appointment can be pretty information-heavy, but don’t let that scare you off! The next sessions are much different.”
Christiana often talks through the “how do I know?” question with her clients.
“We talk about the questions we ask ourselves. For example, it can be a surprise to realize that not everyone is asking themselves, ‘Should I be blacking out this often? Are my roommates not talking to me because of how I acted last night?’ Asking yourself questions like these doesn’t mean you have an addiction problem, but it’s worth speaking with someone to explore that.”
Getting Connected to Care is Easy
Students can be referred to the Substance Use Team in CMH through various avenues, including medical appointments, Trojans Care 4 Trojans, and other internal avenues, but many clients choose to proactively make appointments through MySHR.
First, a student will have what’s called an intake appointment, which both Ryan and Christiana admit can feel a little clinical.
“It is so information based!” said Ryan. “We ask a lot of questions, take a lot of notes, and sometimes it feels like we are just gathering facts. Sometimes, we see students who open up right away. If you find yourself coming into our room and you’re already emotional, don’t be turned off by that! This might be the first time anybody’s hearing you hearing your concerns, hearing all the things that are worrying you. We’ve been there before, and it’s ok!”
Christiana reiterated Ryan’s assurance. “Our sessions are not one-size-fits-all. We can teach you about recommended limits, help you learn healthy habits to keep yourself safe. We set different goals, like day-to-day harm reduction, total abstinence, managing use mindfully, partnering with specific organizations or medical programs, and referrals to get you the support you need.”
RESOURCES:
Are you interested in meeting with a clinician like Ryan, Christiana, or someone on their substance use team? Visit MySHR to explore available appointments. You can also call the USC Student Health call center 24/7 or chat with us by visiting our website www.studenthealth.org.
For those interested in group therapy, Boost Your Game is a workshop for turning the challenges of alcohol and substance use into a chance to level up your life skills. Led by Christiana Grotlisch, LCSW on Wednesdays 1:30pm-3pm, at Palm Room, Engemann 3rd floor, you can request to join this group by sending an inquiry through MySHR.
If you are interested in learning about how you can curb your substance use or want to set a “no thanks” goal for football season, check out the new Rethink the Drink campaign, starting now!
