Students can receive free, confidential counseling in a safe, secure setting explore issues around alcohol and other mood-altering substances.
Our services are designed to educate students about the negative consequences of substance use by utilizing harm-reduction strategies and skill building, as well as correcting misperceptions that many students hold about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use while in college.
Individual Counseling
Students can receive individual counseling to explore the use of alcohol and other mood-altering substances. They are able to explore use of substances openly and to receive personal feedback about alcohol and drugs in a safe, secure setting. All client information is held in confidence (see confidentiality).
Topics include:
- alcohol misuse and abuse
- substance use
- understanding blood alcohol content and other pertinent informative questions
- family substance use issues
- supporting friends who have alcohol and/or substance use issues
Support Groups
A variety of confidential weekly support groups explore issues and challenges related to alcohol and substance use with the AOD counselor in a comfortable setting. Schedule a pre-group session with the AOD counselor to talk more about joining a group — whether you are recovering or have family members who struggle with substance abuse.
Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP)
The Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP) is available for student groups upon request. With materials focused on the college environment and how your actions can prevent alcohol-related problems, this training emphasizes how to handle situations in which individuals have misused alcohol. For legal-aged students, it will provide the opportunity to learn how to create a responsible drinking environment. The class is a prerequisite for the campus student event registration process.
Students are also encouraged to reach out to tailor a program or workshop to the needs of the group.
Educational Appointments
Students referred to Shaw Wellness through the disciplinary system for alcohol and other drugs violations participate in educational sanctioned appointments. These appointments include:
AlcoholEdu — a highly interactive and personalized online program that allows students to reflect on and consider changing their drinking.
AOD Educational Group — a 90-minute group experience that encourages low- to moderate-risk students to change their alcohol and/or other drugs use.
BASICS or CASICS — Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) or Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS), brief motivational interventions to reduce problem drinking and usage.
eCHECKUP TO GO (Alcohol) — an interactive, online program that provides immediate, personalized feedback about their alcohol use and related variables.
eCHECKUP TO GO (Cannabis) — an interactive, online program that provides immediate, personalized feedback about their cannabis use and related variables.
Evaluation — three to four sessions reviewing the student’s substance use, legal history, and impact on daily functioning. Following interviews, full report with recommendations is provided.
Narcan Access Stations and Training
Colgate’s free naloxone stations provide essential tools to help reverse opioid overdoses, and are located across campus. Narcan trainings are also held throughout the year to share information on the dangers of opioids, how to recognize an overdose, the use of Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose, and additional support resources — check the campus events calendar. You may also schedule a group training for your student group or organization.