Drugs and Alcohol

Many students choose not to consume alcohol or other drugs for the majority of their Middlebury career. Whether developing new hobbies, studying in a new content area, or developing healthy interactions with substances, college can provide opportunities to try new things.

Educational Offerings

Students can sign up for a range of educational offerings on substance use, and may also be sanctioned to attend by a conduct officer. To sign up for any Alcohol and Other Drug Educational Programming, please visit Make an Appointment. To request a program for yourself, your residence hall, organization, or team, please contact healthandwellnessed@middlebury.edu. 

• Choices: A Harm Reduction Program
  Choices is a single 90-minute educational group session facilitated by a provider from Health and Wellness Education. The goal of Choices is to create an open, nonjudgmental space to discuss safer alcohol use practices and strategies to reduce harmful alcohol use. A Health and Wellness Education office member will guide participants in conversation about personal use and community norms related to alcohol. Sign up.
   
• BASICS (Balancing Alcohol and other Substances for Improved College Success) is an evidence-based intervention program that typically runs over the course of one to three 45-60 minute in-person sessions where participants are provided a nonjudgmental confidential space to talk openly about their relationship to substances. BASICS explores patterns of use, provides education about risk reduction if a participant chooses to engage in further use, and gives participants opportunities to make plans for how they want substances to play a role in their lives. Depending on the need of the participant, substances discussed include alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, psychedelics, and others, including gambling. At the completion of the first session of BASICS, the participant and Health Educator will arrange follow up meetings as necessary, usually within 5-10 days of the first session. Sign up.
   
• My Story (A Brief AOD Intervention)
  My Story is a brief intervention that consists of several confidential individual 60-minute sessions over the course of a few weeks with a Health Educator from Health and Wellness Education to explore one’s personal relationship with substance use, get individualized feedback, and learn about support services. This program follows an evidence-based curriculum that gives participants structured time for verbal and written reflection, and is appropriate for discussion about all substances including the use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, psychedelics, opioids, and more. At the completion of the first session, the participant and Health Educator will arrange follow-up meetings spaced out over the next month. Sign up. 

Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction is an approach that engages directly with individuals who use drugs and uses their personal goals to reduce the risk associated with substance use. Harm Reduction is a major focus in the continuum of care outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Overdose Prevention Strategy. Harm Reduction may include strategies that:

• prevent overdose or the transmission of infectious diseases,
• promote physical, mental, or social well-being,
• or provide low-barrier options to accessing treatment.

Harm Reduction Packs are available across campus, visit go/Narcan/ to learn more. 

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Notice

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 requires that Middlebury annually notify all students, faculty, and staff of important alcohol and drug policies.