Santa Barbara University (UCSB) has in huge influx of
students who could already have issues with substance abuse or dual
disorders. Addictions can take on many forms from substance abuse,
alcoholism, and social/environmental disorders. Through out the years
UCSB understands how effected the college has become and has
incorporated extensive program to assist college students with
addictions and personal barriers such as: online courses about
substance abuse, trained counselors/therapist, and orientation of
school policies and prevention programs. Jackie Kruta, PsyD, MFT is
the Director with UCSB Alcohol & Drug Program with Student Heath,
and feels with all the information for incoming students these
programs can really help students to over come their addictions or
personal barriers.
Student have the opportunity to check out wellness
facilities not only for substance use but also for finding activities
within the college area which promotes healthy ways to have fun. New
students are required to complete the two online programs
AlcoholEDU and second year GauchoFYI providing personal health
information. Without completing the online courses students are not
able to register for future quarters. Counseling programs are a huge
part of the college scene and allows college students to see a
counselor for several visits a year. College students have huge
responsibilities to maintain grade point average, living far from
their families, the image of the social life to fit in with their
peers, and jut keeping their heads above water could cause any
student to seek out counseling. If students have a substance problem
they also can check into anonymous/confidential counseling to help
them cope with deeper issues with the outpatient programs which UCSB
has to offer. Services within student health program are vast with
assessments, seminars, workshops, thirty-minute
guided meditation groups, website (sa.ucsb.edu/policies)
which give a long list of links for various campus and divisional
policies/regulations, and students can contact make confidential
appointments with a counselor. Students are unaware of the UCSB
policies with social gatherings on or off campus in order for a
healthy,safe, college experience. Students may have the notion they
are finally away from their parents guidelines or rules and think
nothing of have a really good time for the first time. Drinking is a
social acceptable and the peer pressure can play a huge part of the
college lifestyle. One of the policies of drinking on campus could
land a student in huge trouble “Not drinking in a dorm room with
others who can drink is a direct violation of school policies”
Jackie said, “When the student gets caught they must attached
classes in Student Health.” Psycho education offers students who
are mandated to be there or under age drinking by the residential
hall, and they can learn more about ways to stay safe by making
better choices, and not be influenced by their peers. With student
health services there are many outreach program within the Santa
Barbara community to provide answers for to the questions around
drugs and alcohol.
Jackie has an extensive background with the community
as Vice-President of the Board of Dictators for New Beginnings
Counseling Center, Co-President to her current position as
Coordinator of Disaster Mental Health Services, and her first
internship was with Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara,
and a good majority of her clients had suffered with alcohol/drug
with could be a contribution factors with law enforcement issues.
When asked in the interview about, “How did your background help to
develop programs for UCSB?” Jackie informed me, “A lot of
students are coming into the program to to learn about alcohol and
drugs and ways to avoid risk,” and “not just my background
experience but with the help of staff we were able to developed some
good programs”. Learning more up-to-date advantages with webinars,
attending conferences on specific to trends in psychology to stay
current as much as possible has helped to develop two
programs at UCSB SAM and CASE. Each program is designed to the
students specific needs and not all students are learning about ways
to abstain from substance, but ways to cope with the stressors of
college life. Some colleges only give you the standard amount of
counseling time per year, but not UCSB they have a vast about of
programs to help students to be safe, and find answers to some
personal barriers.
Not all MFT or therapists are skilled in addiction or
have had personal experience with substance abuse. In my years of
experience working as a counselor clients would corner me asking a
very personal question, “Are you in recovery,” and, “if so what
was your drug of choice?” Clients always want to test you on a
regular basis. Most students who have issues with substance may not
relate to someone who does not have an addiction or in recovery. With
most clients who are seeking out help most of the time they are more
interested in the background of the counselor/therapist before they
even start any form of therapy. If the counselor or therapist does
not have the knowledge of addiction client may not continue therapy
based on that. Some counselors or therapist have long background
experience in various programs and have worked with diverse clients
through out their years. Knowledge of various programs is part of the
hours they must full fill to complete for their license. Some
therapist do try to changeling themselves with a variety of special
programs. Jackie did just that with her vast learning background
experience to become a better therapist because Jackie does not have
an addiction to any form of substance. How could students come into a
session with her and feel secure Jackie will be able to help them.
Jackie told me, “She took on a internship with Aegis treatment
clinic helping clients who were on harm reduction from
Heroin with Methadone maintenance,” Working with
extreme other side population was challenging, but very helpful in
her career. A client really liked working with her because she was
not in recovery, and she allowed him to tell her how he felt and not
being told how he feels. Key to any good therapists is to listen and
not disclose much about yourself. Motivation interviewing allows the
client to find some of the answers to self discovery. If students
think mood/behavior change, Blackouts, higher tolerance to alcohol or
drugs, social anxiety, depression are just about growing up they are
in for a big surprise because it's not. That is why UCSB is upping
their game with “After Dark program supporting students to enjoy
activities without alcohol or drugs. Connecting with “Office
Residential Life” allowed UCSB to find ways to help students living
in Isla Vista with AA and NA meetings, online certificate for a
positive renter reference for a better credit score for renting in
the future. Also, through the MacPherson.Intern@sa.ucsb.edu
students can find a healthy internet connections with other students
who want to socialize without substance. With weekend concerts, film
festivals, cultural programs can also help with networking, and
expanding their creative side for some classes pertaining to a
particular subject. Even through the Superior Court of Santa Barbara
system gives first offenders a chance to have a sentence revoked when
attending UCSB SAM or CASE programs which was set up by Jackie
working with the court system and drug court.
Information from NIDA website with be part of my argument..
Adolescents
on their way to dropping out of school and abusing drugs can be
diverted toward healthier,more successful lives, according to
NIDA-supported researchers. By using interventions designed
specifically to address the personal and social factors that place
some high school students at risk of drug abuse, schools can reduce
these young people's drug use and other unhealthy behaviors, these
researchers say.
One
such drug abuse prevention program under way in the Seattle area has
improved academic performance and reduced drug involvement among high
school students whose poor academic records and behavioral problems
indicate they are at high risk of dropping out of school and abusing
drugs. Another drug abuse prevention program in California is showing
promising early results in reducing and preventing serious drug use
among students in continuation schools. Continuation schools are
alternative public schools where students with behavioral and other
problems can complete their high school education.
NIDA-
National institute on drug abuse
