Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

Mission

Empower Binghamton University students to make healthy lifestyle choices surrounding substance use.

Through all programs and services, the ATOD staff strive to engage the community and build collaborations that will ensure a safe campus environment for all. The ATOD program is built on a foundation of evidence-based prevention and harm-reduction approaches that ask students to explore the how and why behind their behaviors, and give them the tools necessary to support their well-being.

Services

The ATOD program at Binghamton University uses a multi-pronged approach to address drug and alcohol misuse by the campus community. Among the services provided by the ATOD office are:

  • Events and programs: The ATOD staff take the lead on and support campus-wide programming aimed at empowering students to make healthy decisions about their substance use behaviors and reduce harm.
  • eCHECKUP TO GO: An evidence-based online prevention tool used for indicated students who are referred to the ATOD Office by University professionals or students who self-refer. Students can take the alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine assessment. Individuals who complete the assessment are provided accurate, detailed, and personalized feedback on their use, including risk factors, potential negative consequences, harm reduction strategies, etc.
  • Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS): One-on-one conversations with trained ATOD staff members intended to help students explore their alcohol and/or drug use behaviors in a judgement-free environment. These meetings are conducted with indicated students who are referred to the ATOD Office by University professionals or who self-refer. Throughout the BASICS meeting, students will engage in values clarification, identify motives for using and not using alcohol/drugs, evaluate personal substance use behaviors, understand how their use compares with that of peers, explore how substance use may be affecting their life, assess personal risk factors for misuse, and identify potential strategies for reducing risk and preventing future problems. 
  • Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS): One-on-one conversations with trained ATOD staff members intended to help students explore their cannabis use behaviors in a judgement-free environment. These meetings are conducted with indicated students who are referred to the ATOD Office by University professionals or who self-refer. Throughout the CASICS meeting, students will engage in values clarification, identify motives for using and not using cannbis, evaluate personal cannabis use behaviors, understand how their use compares with that of peers, explore how cannabis use may be affecting their life, assess personal risk factors for misuse, and identify potential strategies for reducing risk and preventing future problems. 
  • Binghamton Campus and Community Coalition (BCCC): The ATOD office recognizes that addressing college student substance misuse requires buy-in from the local community. Learn more about this program.
  • Environmental management: Through campus and community alliances, the ATOD staff focus on maintining an environment in which policies, programs, and physical spaces are aligned to limit access to, and the availability of, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
  • Peer-to-peer engagement: Studies show that peers have an important influence on emerging adult substance use behaviors. In addition to training students to conduct peer-led interventions, the ATOD staff seek to facilitate meaningful dialogue among peers and to dispel myths about peer substance-use behaviors.
  • Recovery resources: The Campus Recovery Support Group (CRSG) is a joint initiative between Binghamton University students in recovery, the University Counseling Center, and the ATOD office to increase the campus community's recovery capital. The mission of the CRSG is to connect students who are living a substance-free lifestyle, who are sober curious, and/or who are supporting a family member in recovery with like-minded peers. 
  • Research: The ATOD staff strives to conduct innovative research focused on the development of outreach strategies that support behavioral health, including preventing alcohol and other drug misuse, and promoting mental and physical well-being. 

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