Alcohol and Drugs

Substance Abuse Program Coordinator:
Matthew Tomatz, MA, LPC, CACIII
matthew.tomatz@colorado.edu
303-492-6766

It is important to understand that alcohol and other drug use is often a part of the college experience. In an effort to support students and help them succeed, Counseling and Psychological Services is committed to working with students to avoid pitfalls and harm related to alcohol and drugs. CAPS offers a comprehensive program to address these issues, and students are welcome to access these services to address problematic patterns of drug or alcohol use. If our services are not appropriate, we will work with students and families to refer them to other services on or off campus.

Individual Therapy :Students are eligible to receive six sessions of individual counseling every academic year. This free service can be an important part of the process of overcoming unwanted or harmful use of alcohol or drugs. Because substance use can pose a complex problem, six sessions of therapy is often not enough to address habitual behavior. For many, brief counseling will increase motivation for change and encourage stability that is needed to succeed. For some, individual therapy along with other services (group treatment, or support from the broader community) is a viable option to address needs of an individual. For others, six or fewer sessions is needed to facilitate a transition to a level of care appropriate to the situation. CAPS is flexible in its approach to address individual needs.

Dynamic Choices is a drop-in group for students considering behavior change. If you have arrived at a place in your life where things are no longer working for you, if you find yourself doing unhelpful things over and over again, or if you find yourself doing drugs, alcohol, or any other habitual behavior in a way that is not serving you, then this group is for you. In this group, you will learn to live in alignment with your values by giving and receiving feedback in a safe place. Various aspects of the decision-making process, including mindfulness skills, will be explored as you learn to make choices that will benefit your overall wellbeing. This group meets on Thursdays, from 3:30-4:30 pm; Willard room 101. Group begins on Begins 9/3/09 (NO GROUP ON 9/17/09). Facilitated By: Matthew Tomatz, MA, LPC, CACIII: Contact for more information (303-492-1397; matthew.tomatz@colorado.edu).  There is no pre-registration necessary; feel free to drop-in anytime.  For more Information, click here.

Oasis - A Sober Community: The inspiration for Oasis (formerly known as Students in Recovery) is to create a community of support for all students interested in belonging to a group not dominated by the use of drugs or alcohol. This community can be an important force for the university - an anchor of stability that provides alternatives to the party scene that has become a core part of student life. Alcohol and drug use often seems commonplace, if not expected behavior on college campuses. Oasis looks to increase healthy relationships and activities without the need for recreational use of substances.

Oasis is also intended to support students in recovery from addictive disorders to successfully pursue academic, personal, and professional goals that will enhance their quality of life and enable them to become productive members of the university, community, and society. Students who are "in recovery" are encouraged to participate in this group to create social connections, gain support from each other, and use the group to help maintain recovery. Students interested in living a life less dominated by drugs and alcohol, who are interested in reducing the harm of drug or alcohol use, or students concerned about the consuming presence of alcohol and drugs on campus are also encouraged to attend. Joining forces between students in recovery and students considering a lifestyle less influenced by substance use is a powerful means of finding reassurance that there are ways to have rewarding experiences without drugs or alcohol.

Oasis is interested in giving back and having a positive impact on the university and community. Members are eligible to receive peer education training for the purpose of becoming student leaders and mentors. If a student completes this training and becomes a mentor, he or she will have the opportunity to work with students in need of support, provide outreach services to the student body, and be a vital part of a movement on campus to reduce the harm of drinking and drug-related behavior.

If you are interested in participating in Oasis or would like to be put in touch with a student mentor, please contact Matthew Tomatz. You are also welcome to attend the weekly community meeting on Fridays at 3PM - Willard room 231. Please call or email first for details.

Assessment: CAPS offers a two-part substance abuse assessment to provide students feedback on their patterns of alcohol and drug use. This assessment can be very informative and help students understand their relationship to drugs or alcohol while evaluating how serious their situation is. Since alcohol and drug use is often popular on college campuses, it can be difficult to determine what "normal" is. This assessment will help students understand their substance use and gain a well-rounded perspective. This insight can help students make better decisions and reduce harm. Students will also receive recommendations as to what forms of treatment might be most beneficial in changing habitual or harmful behaviors.

Parental Support: If you are a parent and are concerned about your son or daughter, you are welcome to contact CAPS for information regarding our services or information about alcohol and drug treatment. Recognizing that alcohol and drug use impacts the entire family system, it is often necessary and beneficial to involve parental support. Please know that our services are confidential, and there can be no information given out about a student without a signed release of information from the student.

Alcohol Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous: Boulder has an active support community, and when appropriate, students are encouraged to seek support through these fellowships to advance recovery and stability. Students may contact Matthew Tomatz (303-492-6766; matthew.tomatz@colorado.edu) to arrange to meet students who currently participate in AA/NA. Attending meetings with other students is often felt as very supportive and important in initial efforts at recovery from addiction.

Helpful Links
View a list of helpful links here.