Counseling & Psychological Services

Although some college students can drink responsibly and do not find that they have any problems with their use, for others, drinking can interfere with their life and lead to many negative personal consequences. Students at risk may not initially see drinking as a problem because of the culture of drinking present on many college campuses. However, problems with alcohol can quickly develop, especially when alcohol becomes a widely-available coping tool and alternative ways of coping with stress and emotional difficulties are not learned or used. Some may use alcohol to cope with uncomfortable feelings, such as social anxiety or loneliness, while others may use alcohol to cope with more serious emotional difficulties. Either way, using alcohol as a coping strategy can lead to reliance or dependence on it. Alcohol use can become problematic when it interferes with your life in some way: academically, financially, legally, physically, or interpersonally. If this sounds like you, there is help.

Signs of an Alcohol Problem:

• Drinking to change mood, calm anxiety, or shift out of a bad mood
• Guilt and embarrassment about drinking
• Inability to stop or cut drown drinking
• Lying about drinking
• Hurting oneself or others as a result of drinking
• Financial, social, or family problems caused by drinking
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining and using alcohol
• Drinking in risky situations such as before driving or before engaging in unwanted/unprotected sex 

Things You Can Do To Help Yourself:

Some people choose not to drink. If you do choose to drink responsibly, be sure to:

• Limit your alcohol consumption to one drink on average per hour, choosing to stop at 0, 1, 2, or 3 for women, and 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 at the most for men
• Always eat something before and during any drinking
• Do not accept drinks from strangers, nor should you leave your drink and return to drink it later
• Elect a friend or service to be a "safe" driver before you go out and NEVER drink and drive
• Use a buddy system when drinking (never go alone anywhere you will be drinking)
• Know that drinking can sometimes interfere with the rights of others
• Know that alcohol poisoning can be life threatening and learn how to avoid it (e.g., avoid drinking shots, pace your drinks, consume water in between drinks, and know your limit)
• When peer pressure to drink in a risky way is present, learn to do your own thing
• Get a screening and/or evaluation to see if you have an alcohol problem, either at the National Alcohol Screening Day website, the Wellness Center website, or the Counseling Center website, or at a local substance abuse treatment provider
• Educate yourself about what constitutes at-risk levels of drinking and how you might be at risk:
  • For a man: > 14 drinks a week or >4 drinks on average per day when drinking
  • For a woman: >7 drinks per week or >3 drinks on average per day when drinking
• Incorporate alternative ways to cope with stress, other than using alcohol:
• Go for a run or walk
• Call a friend
• Start a new hobby
• Take a nap
• Listen to music that changes your mood
• Relaxation/stress reduction activities that work for you

(Adapted from NASD 53-06)

Help is Available

It may benefit you to talk to someone at the Counseling Center. Stop by during our Initial Consultation hours Monday-Friday 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., or call (828) 262-3180. We can talk with you about your concerns. You may also learn more by checking our other links, or completing an online screening.

Crisis Services

If you or another AppState student is experiencing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts or experiencing trauma in regard to a sexual assault, you may contact us after hours by calling the Counseling Center at (828) 262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on call.