Alcohol and Drug Information

The TTU Counseling Center helps foster a campus atmosphere that encourages people to make healthy lifestyle choices by co-sponsoring alcohol and drug free events,  conducting educational outreach programs, and by participating in National Alcohol Screening Day.  The Counseling Center provides assistance for students with substance abuse concerns.

Do I Have a Problem?

A common myth surrounding substance abuse is thinking that only people with addictions have a problem.  The reality is that there are many negative consequences that can result from drinking or drug use:

Inability to meet requirements or responsibilities in the classroom,  in the work place, or on the field as you once were able.

Either losing or jeopardizing important work, familial, or friend relationships.

Suffering from uncomfortable or unhealthy medical conditions such as nausea, dehydration, blackouts, liver damage and impaired abstract thinking (brain damage).

Experiencing legal problems such as being arrested for underage consumption, drunk driving, or possession.

Doing or saying things that harm self or other people (e.g. physical, verbal or sexual violence).

Inability to attain personal goals such as obtaining a degree or sustaining a healthy relationship.

Using substances to deal with stress or emotional problems.

Ever wonder if your drinking or drug choices may have developed into an addiction?

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, then chances are you have developed or are at risk of developing a dependency:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking but found you were unable to do so?
• Have you found yourself unable to stop drinking once you started?
• Does it take great amounts of alcohol to reach the same level of intoxication (i.e. do you have increased tolerance)?
• Have you felt annoyed by people who criticized your drinking?
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you are experiencing any problems due to alcohol/substance use or if you believe you may have an addiction, we encourage you to contact the Counseling Center at 372-3331.  A trained mental health professional can provide a free, confidential consultation. You might prefer to complete a free e-CHUG survey first and bring it with you to your appointment.

How Do I Avoid Developing a Substance Abuse Problem?

The only way to guarantee that you will not develop a substance abuse problem is to abstain.   If you choose not to abstain, then by following low-risk drinking guidelines you reduce your risk over a lifetime of developing an addiction, a medical condition (liver disease, heart disease, etc.) or  engaging in unsafe activities (driving drunk, having unprotected sex, etc.).  If you fall into one of the below-mentioned categories, then the only low-risk choice is abstinence.

• Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• People who plan to drive or engage in other activities that require alertness and skill (such as using high-speed machinery)
• People taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications
• People with medical conditions that can be made worse by drinking
• Recovering alcoholics. 
• People younger than age 21.

Low-Risk Guidelines

Men and women who do not drink daily are encouraged not to exceed 3 drinks in one day AND not to drink more than one drink per hour.

The only low-risk choice involved in drug use is to abstain.

What is a Drink?

• 12 ounces of beer or wine cooler
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (80 proof)

* Please note that mixed drinks often have multiple shots of distilled spirits and therefore are considered more than one drink.

Alcohol and Drug Services

• Free and confidential alcohol & drug assessments. 
• Prevention programs for the classroom, residence hall, or student groups.
• Free and confidential consultations with concerned friends, family or faculty/staff.
• Free literature and information for students, faculty and staff.
• Counseling and/or referral resources for students, faculty, and staff experiencing a substance abuse problem.

For more information on this topic, please see the Alcohol and Drug Abuse web links.