Final paper with more work to do...

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