Artifact F

Hope Howard

Seattle University
Courageous
Conversations
How to have a successful conversation and
support your student in regards to use of
alcohol and marijuana.
Overview
Why do students drink/use marijuana?

What happens when students drink/smoke?

When is high-risk behavior most likely to occur?

Who drinks? Who uses marijuana?

7 Communication Tips

Resources

Major Takeaways
Brittany D Henderson
Associate Dean of Student Life, Cornish College of the Arts
PhD Candidate, Leadership in Higher Education at Capella University
M.A. Student Development Administration, Seattle University
B.A. Theatre Arts, University of Puget Sound
Hope Howard
Orientation Intern, Student Life at Cornish College of the Arts
Wellness Program Coordinator, Wellness & Health Promotion at Seattle University
M.A. Candidate, Student Development Administration at Seattle University
B.A. Public Health, University of Washington
Why Do Students Drink/Use
Marijuana?
Access/Availability: Human Brain Development:
Its easier to obtain alcohol and/or drugs than
before.
Expectations & Attitudes:
Society perpetuates a drinking culture at
college; making it seem like a right of passage.
Early Exposure:
If students drank/smoked in high school they
are more likely to seek it out in college.
The brain is still developing - the parts that
have developed by typical college age?
Emotional centers. This means emotions
drive decisions.
Parental Influences: thats you!
Supportive disapproval helps lessen risky
drinking behaviors
What happens when students
drink/smoke?
Neurobiological research shows that substance use hijacks reward pathways in the brain.

Over time, the rewards of academic achievement can be replaced with the temporary rewards of
intoxication and getting high.

The end result is decreased motivation to pursue academic goals and disengagement from college.

Arria, A. M., Caldeira, K. M., Bugbee, B. A., Vincent, K. B., & OGrady, K. E. (2013). The academic opportunity costs of substance use during college.
College Park, MD: Center on Young Adult Health and Development. Available at www.cls.umd.edu/docs/AcadOppCosts.pdf.
When is high-risk behavior likely to
occur?
Here are some high-risk situations:

Holidays: Thanksgiving,
Halloween, New Years, St.
Patricks Day, Cinco de Mayo,
and 4/20

Spring Break

Parties and/or sporting events

21st Birthdays

Shot books
Quick Tip: Dont share
your war stories!
Who drinks?
What percentage of students in colleges across America
do you think drank alcohol in the past 30 days?
Key messages:
Students believe that 92% of their peers drank alcohol
Alcohol is not legal for those
in the last 30 days. (NCHA-II, Fall 2015)
under the age of 21.

60% of students drank alcohol in the last 30 days. Not everyone drinks.

-most drank between 1-9 days of the month.

Not everyone who drinks does so
-Of those who drank, 61% had 4 or fewer drinks. (NCHA- excessively.
II, Fall 2015)

Nationally, 2.9% of students reported alcohol use affected

their academic performance in the last year (NCHA-II, Fall
2015).

Source: NCHA-II, Fall 2015 data

Who uses marijuana?
What percentage of students in colleges across America
do you think used marijuana in the past 30 days?
Key messages:

Students believe that 83% of their peers used Marijuana is not legal for those
marijuana in the last 30 days. (NCHA-II, Fall 2015) under the age of 21.

Not everyone uses marijuana.

15% of students used marijuana in the last 30 Not everyone who uses
days. (NCHA-II, Fall 2015) marijuana does so excessively.

-most used between 1-9 days of the month. The average potency of THC in
marijuana has increased from
Nationally, 1.4% of students reported drug use affected
their academic performance in the last year (NCHA-II,
3.9% in 1995 to 12.5% in 2013.
Fall 2015).
Source: NCHA-II, Fall 2015 data
7 Communication Tips
1. Dont be afraid to start the conversation.
Talking about drinking need not be taboo. Detoxify the topic. Even if your child doesnt drink, they most likely know people
who do and/or they have been offered alcohol.

2. As a parent, you are allowed to disapprove of drinking. Give yourself

permission to disapprove.
Research has shown that parents who communicate zero-tolerance expectations around alcohol are much less likely to
have children who drink excessively during college than parents who have permissive attitudes.

3. Banish any fear that your disapproval is nave.

There is nothing nave about disapproving of your childs drinkingalthough it might be nave to expect that your student
wont ever drink (or ever drink too much) just because youve stated your disapproval of them drinking. Many college
students do experiment with drinking, but your stance on the matter can still have a powerful impact on when, where, and
how it happens.

collegeparentsmatter.org
7 Communication Tips
4. Focus on one message during the conversation.
Pick your battles and make sure your message doesnt get lost in a laundry list of demands.

5. Reject the myth that discouraging drinking is useless because everyone

is doing it.
The view of the crazy college party scene as normal is a myth. It exaggeratesand sometimes even glorifiesbehaviors
that only a small group of students actually participate in. Your goal is to steer your child away from that crowd.

6. Make communication a regular activity.

College students have a lot on their plate. Theyre juggling classes, work, a social life, and other responsibilities. Setting up
a regular phone call can be a good way to establish consistent communication.

7. Recognize the power of your influence

When a group of fourth-year college students were asked, What were the most important influences in helping you
achieve what you have in college, their number one answer was My parents. So parents take heart: your voice still
matters, perhaps more than you realize.
collegeparentsmatter.org
Example: Move-in
Say This:
I am sure that living on your own has
been quite the adjustment. In what ways
has it been hard for you?
What do people on your hall do for fun?
Do people on your hall go out at night
Not that:
I know they are doing <insert
activity> in your residence hall. I
expect you to go to it.
Everyone has a crazy roommate at
some point!
Example: Spring Break
Say This: Not that:
Have you thought about your plans for Youre doing something stupid.
Spring Break?
No, you're absolutely not going.
Just because you can legally drink in
that country, doesnt mean its a good Dont tell war stories.
idea.

We should talk at least <insert

frequency> while youre in <insert
country/location>.
Resources
If you suspect your student needs help:
To learn more:
Counseling Services
College Parents Matter:
Collegeparentsmatter.org Each student gets 15 free appointments
Cornish Student Life: annually.
www.cornish.edu/student_life/
National College Health Assessment www.cornish.edu/student_life/student_support/c
www.acha-ncha.org/reports_ACHA-NCHAII ounseling_services/
c.html
Campus Safety & Security

The academic opportunity costs of 206-726-5038 or msecurity@cornish.edu

substance use during college. College Park,
MD: Center on Young Adult Health and www.cornish.edu/campus/safety/
Development. (Arria et al., 2013)
www.cls.umd.edu/docs/AcadOppCosts.pdf
 Not everyone drinks/smokes.
Dont make it seem normal.

Not everyone who

drinks/smokes does so
Major excessively.

Takeaways Sending a zero tolerance

message can work.

Encourage your students to get

What is your major takeaway? to class - no skipping class!

Maintain open communication.

Refer to help if you suspect

something serious.