For Students

At Illinois State University your academic success and well-being is our priority! Our programming and activities allow you to make decisions about alcohol and other drug use that will keep yourself, friends, and those around you at a reduced risk from harm. Making sound decisions about your health and well-being will also allow you to achieve your goal of successfully completing your education at Illinois State University. Familiarizing yourself with University expectations builds knowledge and awareness further supporting informed and safer decision making. Students need to be familiar with the University Alcohol Policy and Code of Student Conduct.

Schedule BASICS and ICHAMP

Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and ICHAMP Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students are evidence-based interventions designed to help college students gain insights about their individual relationships and associated risks with alcohol or cannabis.

Credible and valuable information about alcohol and cannabis is shared, assisting students in exploring their own:

• balance of good and not so good effects from alcohol/cannabis,
• personal risk information
• beliefs and expectations about alcohol/cannabis, which are sometimes based on myths, and how they impact decisions related to alcohol/cannabis, and an individual's well-being.

At the end of the BASICS and ICHAMP process, students decide whether or not to make changes to reduce their risks with alcohol/cannabis and are assisted in creating a self-generated plan of action. BASICS and ICHAMP occur over two sessions, both of which are 45-50 minutes in length. Between the sessions, students will complete several brief personal assessments that will be reviewed and processed during the second session. If you are interested in scheduling BASICS or ICHAMP, a limited number of appointments will be available through web booking; please contact Jamie Laurson at jllaurs@ilstu.edu or call (309) 438-2564 for additional appointment times.

If you are a student who chooses to be substance free or is in recovery from alcohol, cannabis/marijuana or other drugs, you may be interested in Recovery for Redbirds, an program supporting ISU students. For more information please contact RecoveryForRedbirds@IllinoisState.edu, or call Jamie Laurson at (309) 438-2564.

Resources

Drug-Free School and Communities Act for the US Department of Education Biennial Review
FY 2023 Annual DFSCA Student Notification
Go Ask Alice
Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIAAA Rethinking Drinking
NIAAA Building Drink Refusal Skills
Prescription Drug Abuse

Recovery Support

Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesdays, Welcome Home Group, 6 p.m., currently meeting on Zoom (please click on the Alcoholics Anonymous link below for Zoom information).  Note that many local meetings remain virtual.

Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based support group that deals with substance concerns, sexual addiction, codependency, unhealthy relationships, food issues, anger/resentment, self-injury, gambling, mental health concerns, and more.Tuesdays, 7–9:30 p.m. (meal at 6 p.m. twice per month), First Assembly Church of God, 800 E. Vernon Avenue, Normal (large and small group meetings). View the  Celebrate Recovery schedule.

Overeaters Anonymous
Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m., Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S. Cottage Avenue, Fellowship Area, Normal

Local Meetings in Normal Bloomington Area
Additional meetings exist in the local community, especially if a student has access to transportation options; most are within two to three miles of campus. To view more local options, please visit:

Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous 
Celebrate Recovery
Sex Addicts Anonymous
SMART Recovery 

Al-Anon: (309) 827-7426

Multiple Pathways of Recovery

William White published a  multiple pathways of recovery guide  that documents the diverse ways in which people enter and remain in recovery. Many options exist, including a variety of self-help options (i.e. 12-Step, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery, Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, Phoenix Multisport, Wellbriety, White Bison, Moderation Management). While some of these options are not yet present in our community, there are many virtual meetings, as well as meetings at other universities and colleges (email  RecoveryForRedbirds@IllinoisState.edu  to get connected with collegiate meetings, as they are not publically listed). The guide also gives information about Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR) and other professional treatment resources.