Living Substance Free
Students may choose to abstain from alcohol and/or other drugs during their college experience for a variety of different reasons. These reasons often include: a family history of alcoholism/addiction, drinking alcohol/substance use does not align with a person's value system, past negative experiences related to alcohol use, or a student may be "in recovery" from alcohol or drug addiction.
If you choose to be alcohol and substance free during your time at Caltech, it is important to know that many of your peers are making the same choice.
One of the most important variables that predict whether students continue to abstain, is having a close friend who abstains (Huang et al 2011).
Proactively think about these questions & scenarios. How will you express yourself to others?
- What are your social & leisure priorities?
- What are your reasons for choosing not to drink or use other substances?
- What are your roommate agreements regarding substance use?
- If a group is gathering to go out, how might you express your desire to join?
- If you don't want to use a substance offered, how might you directly and authentically decline?
Substance-Free Strategies
Below are some abstinence strategies that you can employ as you socialize with peers who may be consuming alcohol:
- Hold a red cup with a non-alcoholic beverage in it. By doing this, you are less likely to be offered an alcoholic beverage by your peers.
- Be the Sober Designated Driver. By committing to this important role/task, you are ensuring that you and your peers have safe transportation to and from the event.
- "Serve notice." It is important to let your peers know what your boundaries are early and consistently. This will likely result in less peer pressure to consume alcohol.
- Say, "I have somewhere I need to be early tomorrow morning." Technically, you will be somewhere tomorrow morning - whether that be in bed, running a few miles at the Rose Bowl, or enjoying coffee at Red Door… you will be somewhere!
To be an ally for recovering and other substance-free students, here are some things not to do:
- Don't assume that every social activity has to involve alcohol and other drugs. Plan substance-free activities and opportunities to socialize, receive social support, have fun, and feel the natural dopamine/serotonin benefits.
- Don't assume you know how they feel. Instead, listen closely to what they have to say.
- Don't question/minimize/discount their concerns about substance use. This might seem obvious, but many substance use disorders are invisible, and the person may appear more functional than they are. If someone tells you they're in recovery, don't express skepticism.
- Don't question how long it's taking. Recovery is not easy. Remember, everyone's journey is unique, and that will impact the time it takes.
- Don't tell others without permission. It can be very difficult for someone to share that they are in recovery. Be sensitive to that, and remember it is not your story to tell.
Here's a list of ways to support people in recovery and living substance-free:
- Make sure the person knows they're not alone. Recovery can be very isolating. Offer your support, and acknowledge their efforts — ask how you might be most helpful.
- Check in with them. While it's not your place to push for information, ask someone how they're doing in a non-judgmental way to show your support.
- Support their chosen form(s) of recovery. Ultimately, the choice of how to recover is up to the person in recovery.
- Let them know that they are worthy of all the benefits recovery could offer. The hard work and shame of recovery can make it challenging to see the potential gain. Remind them that things can get better over time.
- If inviting the person to hang out with you, inform them of any potential for substances to be present. Check in with how they feel about being around other people who are using substances, including yourself, and be sensitive to that.