Student Health Services - The University of Iowa

Substance Abuse

Questions from Parents

If you have other questions or concerns, please browse our website or contact us at (319) 335-8392.

I heard the UI is requiring new students to compolete an alcohol course. What is it?

AlcoholEdu is an online alcohol education course. All incoming students to the UI will be required to complete the course. Students will receive information later this summer in the mail with instructions for logging on to the program. The first portion of the course needs to be completed prior to coming to campus in the fall. Watch your mail for more information about this informative and effective course!

Are students made aware of the reality of alcohol use?

Health Iowa provides a number of outreach activities such as health fairs, a web page, and educational programs to student groups. We are a very busy unit, with over 20,000 student contacts yearly -- most likely your student will have contact with Health Iowa during their first year. Health Iowa staff are also involved in training student leaders who work with students on personal development issues, such as resident assistants and orientation staff. As always it is important that parents are providing this information as well. There are a lot of misperceptions about alcohol use and college life. Most research indicates that students come to college with well-developed attitudes and habits in the area of alcohol use - most of which were already in place during the high school years. Having conversations early and often about your current and future expectations of your student can help to provide them with information to make healthy choices. Students need to hear from as many sources as possible that high-risk alcohol use can lead to negative consequences that will interfere with their college experience.

What are you doing about the alcohol problem on campus?

The Student Health Service is very involved in efforts to decrease high-risk drinking at Iowa. Dr. David Braun, SHS Director, and Sarah Hansen, Health Iowa Coordinator, both serve on the Executive Committee of Stepping Up, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded project working to change the environment at Iowa through policy change, alternative activities, and a campus-community coalition. Health Iowa, the educational branch of the SHS, provides a continuum of services in the area of alcohol and other drugs. We present informational programs for residence halls and student organizations and media campaigns to promote healthy behavior. We provide early intervention programs for students that may have had a residence hall infraction or a legal charge. We also employ a full-time substance abuse counselor who provides evaluations, short-term outpatient treatment, and aftercare for students who need assistance.

We have all these services available when your student arrives at Iowa. However, we know that most students have well-established attitudes and behaviors around alcohol by the time they graduate from high school. In the past parents have asked us for suggestions on on discussing alcohol with their students. Here are some things we have found helpful:

  1. Encourage your student to take responsibility for his/her actions: this is a time your student will make many decisions and many mistakes (a part of growing up!). Let them know that you support them, but that they are responsible for the consequences of their decisions.
  2. Support socializing without alcohol: There are a whole host of ways to have a great, exciting, and fulfilling college experience at Iowa. Encourage your student to be creative in socializing and to investigate ways to make friends and get involved that aren't alcohol focused.
  3. Encourage your student to balance social and academic life: Students who successfully graduate have developed a lifestyle of moderation. Successful college life includes a little studying (ok, maybe a lot), a little socializing, a little relaxing, etc.
  4. Support your student in taking charge of his/her health: For the first time, your student will begin making important health decisions without quite as much guidance from you. This is an important part of their development. Offer support and encouragement to them as they navigate this challenging time.
  5. Discuss expectations: The University of Iowa is a community and, as such, we have community norms of accountability, civic engagement, and intolerance to violent, abusive or destructive behavior of any kind. We work hard to communicate these expectations to students in a variety of ways. Communicating your own expectations to your son/daughter is also very important.

Above all, reinforce the idea that there are 28,000 students at Iowa and 28,000 different approaches to alcohol. Not "everyone's doing" anything, least of all drinking!

Is there a problem with fake ID's?

Many students have access to fake ID's. Some just borrow a friend's driver's license while others may buy a counterfeit one from a variety of sources. What some students don't realize is that many states have strict consequences if one is caught with a fake id. For example, students with an Illinois driver's license will have it revoked for a year, even if they're arrested in Iowa. It seems that students have an easy time using a fake id, especially if we're relying on their peers to check the identification at bars.

Are parents ever notified of drunken conduct?

Questions about parental notification are handled by the Office of the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students. The number to contact them is (319) 335-3557.

What services are available for students?

Student Health offers a wide range of services for students.

How do I talk to my son/daughter about their alcohol and drug use?

Realizing your child may have problems with alcohol or drugs can be very scary. Talking to your student can be challenging. Family support is a great asset for students struggling with alcohol and drug abuse problems. An important step to do before you talk to your son or daughter, is make a list of your concerns about their substance use. It is very important that you relate your concerns to their behaviors. Remember, you love the person but don't like the behavior. Gather information about signs of a substance abuse problem. Also gather information about resources your student can access for help. When you do sit down to talk, do your best to remain calm, this will help your son or daughter be able to listen. They may react defensively or deny anything is wrong. Anger and defensiveness are often motivated by fear in this situation. If they deny any problems, you can also talk about how their substance use is affecting you. You may have to talk to your child on more than one occasion. Be prepared to hear their thoughts on the situation. If your student agrees they have a problem then help them process how it's affecting them, what they are willing to do to change, and what kind of support they need from you. Expect changes in small steps, some forward, some back. If your son or daughter continues to deny any problems but you know otherwise, then it is important to be clear with them what you expect from them, and what you are willing to do or no longer do, if their behavior doesn't change. Sometimes we have to use whatever leverage we have to help someone who has a problem, including potentially restricting money and other privileges. The most important thing to remember about setting limits with someone is that you have to follow through with them. This can be a difficult process so be sure to have some support for yourself, from family, friends or professionals in the field.

Page updated: 3/27/08