Is there a problem?
How can you tell if someone has a problem with alcohol or drugs?
To assess whether or not someone has a problem with alcohol or drugs it is important to consider answers to the following questions:
How is the alcohol or drug use affecting their life? Why are they using?
Is substance use leading to:
- Missing classes due to a hangover
- Drinking and driving
- Missing work
- Lower grades
- Poor work performance (i.e. going to work high or hung over)
- Neglecting obligations to family, son/daughters, work, school, etc.
- Fights or arguments under the influence
- Legal problems (public intoxication, PAULA, OWI, Possession of controlled substance)
- Depression or anxiety
- Health or medical problems
- Increased tolerance (needing to use more to get the same effects)
- Blackouts (not remembering all or part of an evening while using)
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Inability to control or cut down use
Are they using alcohol or drugs to:
- Cope with stress
- Get over a breakup
- Be able to talk to people
- Boost their self-confidence
People may exhibit a lot or a few of the above symptoms. Even individuals who use substances infrequently can have problems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect a problem because people seem to have everything together. It is important to remember that you can have problems with substances even if you are not alcohol or substance dependent.
Grades and Drinking
Alcohol Use and Academic Performance
This table describes the relationship between the average number of drinks consumed per week and grade point average by college students.
Average number of drinks per week listed by grade average.
Source: 2003 College Alcohol Study, Harvard School of Public Health
Greek Life
At the University of Iowa, our Greek houses are required to be dry. However, they do occasionally rent space in bars for parties. If your student is interested in joining a fraternity or sorority, check the grade point average for each chapter. Also ask about grade point requirements for pledges and active members. These may be indications of how chapters prioritize academic achievement and social activities.