Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program

If you are wondering about your alcohol or drug use, check out these free and confidential tools:

Alcohol use:  

https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/hyho/screening/7879

Substance use:

https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/hyho/screening/43262

If you want to discuss your results in person call (973)353-5805 and make an appointment with an ADAP team member.

Alcohol / Drug / Nicotine (ADN) counseling is a confidential, supportive process to discuss what is happening in your life or in the life of a student or friend. Our licensed specialists will 

• Be caring
• Listen
• Provide helpful information
• Be objective
• Be non-judgmental
• Explore alternatives

ADN counseling can be a single meeting consultation, short-term (2 to 6 meetings), or longer depending on the goals you want to accomplish. These meetings will help you address troubling experiences or feelings, or they can be used to support changes you wish to make in your life.

If any of the following statements describe your situation or apply to someone you know, you may wish to consider ADN counseling or refer someone to counseling. Consider the following signs of a potential problem:

• If you drink to get drunk.
• If you drink or use drugs alone.
• If you have experienced loss of memory or blackouts due to drinking and/or drug use.
• If you feel you need a drink, drug, or smoke, to be liked in social situations.
• If others have expressed concern about your drinking, drug, or nicotine use.
• If drinking, drug, or nicotine use is causing conflicts with your family, friends or significant other.
• If you need to drink, use drugs, or nicotine in order to enjoy yourself or feel normal.
• If you have said or done anything you regretted due to drinking or drug use.
• If drinking or drug use results in your having unsafe or unwanted sexual experiences.
• If you have unsuccessfully tried to cut down or stop your nicotine use.

You may feel hesitant about seeking ADN counseling for a variety of reasons, or you’ve tried to limit your use of alcohol, drugs, or nicotine on your own without success. 

You may be concerned that if you seek counseling services, this will appear on your school records, or that seeking counseling means you are crazy. Other students worry that entering counseling somehow means a loss of control over their lives and that a counselor may promote unwanted goals. One common misconception is that all students struggling with alcohol use need to end their alcohol use. 

You’re not alone in these concerns, but if you attend counseling, you’ll find

• A safe place to talk about experiences and feelings.
• A place that keeps what you have to say confidential.
• Advantages in talking to a neutral person who is not a part of your everyday life.
• Empowerment to effectively reach self-directed goals for your life that result in feeling better about yourself and life in general.

In collaboration with the Office of Residence Life, ADAP will perform assessments and recommend support plans for students who are struggling with alcohol and/or other drug issues that can impact their ability to function independently in university housing or have violated housing policies.

In this case, our Residence Life staff members will refer you to ADAP staff who will assess your situation and make suggestions. This process includes a self-report online assessment, a brief motivational interview to discuss assessment results, and further recommendations if necessary.

Check out these links for the latest news, trends, and information on addiction and recovery:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Scientific research and expert commentary
• College Drinking Learn more about drinking habits among college students
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) A division of the Department of Health and Human Services, full of links to hotlines and other help
• NJ Al-Anon Join the fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems

New Jersey's Good Samaritan Law, also known as the Lifeline Legislation and Overdose Protection Act, has a two-pronged approach to prevent drug overdose deaths:

• Providing legal protection to people who are in violation of the law, such as consuming drugs, while they are attempting to help a drug overdose victim.
• Eliminating negative legal action against health care professionals or bystanders who administer overdose antidotes, like naloxone, in life-threatening situations.