The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) program is committed to reducing the negative impact associated with substance use, while cultivating an environment in which MSU students can flourish personally, civically, and academically. These services are guided by a belief that students are capable of making wise, well-informed decisions about alcohol and drugs when provided with the information, education, and support necessary to do so.
In compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, all institutions of higher education receiving federal funding are required by law to conduct a biennial review of campus alcohol and other drug programs and policies.
Make the call. In Michigan, students who are under the legal drinking age may now reasonably expect that if they seek medical assistance for themselves or a friend when there are health care concerns related to alcohol use, they will not face criminal prosecution.
MSU's new medical amnesty policy supports students seeking medical care for themselves or others in case of intoxication or injury. With medical amnesty, there is no reason not to call 911 if you are worried about a friend you think might need medical care. If you see a friend in trouble, make the call, then stay with them until help arrives. Learn more about MSU's medical amnesty policy here.
The AOD program provides intervention training workshops by implementing the TIPS University curriculum, which builds on students’ concern for the safety of their peers. Through TIPS Training, students learn decision-making skills and increase confidence to intervene in difficult alcohol-related situations.
This non-judgmental approach helps students from all facets of campus life promote safe social behaviors and learn Interpersonal skills that empower them to effectively intervene in challenging alcohol-related situations.
Students that complete the TIPS Training will receive nationally recognized certification and can enhance liability protection for student organizations while keeping their peers safe. Training sessions are three hours and certification is good for three years.
Spartan Smart is an educational program designed for students who have received a sanction through Michigan State University's Dean of Students Office, have been charged with a minor in possession (MIP) or a civil infraction in lieu of an MIP charge, or have been recommended to complete an alcohol or drug education class. The course offers a supportive, non-judgmental environment for students to reflect on their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding alcohol and marijuana use. Our aim is to empower students to make healthier choices and to impart skills that promote safer use if they choose to continue.
Format: The Spartan Smart course consists of two, two-hour sessions, totaling four hours. Each session is conducted with 3-8 participants.
Location: Classes are held in the Olin Health Center Classroom (463 E. Circle Drive) or Room 27 in the Student Services Building (556 E. Circle Drive). If fewer than three students are registered, the class may be cancelled or combined with another session.
Cost: $55. Register and pay for your class through MSU’s CashNet payment system.
Class Schedule: View available class dates and times. Choose a schedule that best fits your availability.
Register: Proceed to the registration page to enroll and make payment.
Cancellation: Contact the Health Promotion Department at spartansmart@msu.edu at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule.
No-Shows: Missing a session without prior notification will require you to re-enroll and pay the fee again.
Late Arrivals: Arriving more than 10 minutes late will result in being unable to attend the class, necessitating re-registration for another session.
Completion Documentation: After the second session, you will receive proof of completion. For sanctions affiliated with MSU, an electronic confirmation will be sent to both the sanctioning entity and the student. For external entities, provide their contact information, including an email address, to receive confirmation.
Information Disclosure: The confirmation includes a brief class description, the student’s name, date of birth, and completion date. Students must request any additional documentation directly from MSU’s Health Promotion Department. Student information will not be shared without a signed Release of Information form.
The Substance Use Assessment aims to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where students can openly discuss the challenges and impacts of substance use. These individualized, one-on-one sessions are designed to understand how substance use might affect your personal and academic goals and to offer tools, resources, recommendations, and referrals for appropriate care and support.
If you have been required to complete a Substance Use Assessment by the Office of Student Support & Accountability, you may register here. For questions, contact us at spartansmart@msu.edu.
After making your payment, call 517-355-8270 to schedule your initial appointment with MSU Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS). Please note that these appointments are held in-person. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from attending in person, inform the healthcare assistant when scheduling.
You will receive a reminder on the day of your appointment with instructions for completing brief assessment forms. The MSU CAPS staff look forward to assisting you.
Note that these appointments are different from our Spartan Smart Class.
Please note that this service is not available for students required to complete a substance use assessment by a court or legal entity outside of Michigan State University. For assistance with those requirements, email spartansmart.hp@msu.edu.
The Substance Use Assessment aims to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where students can openly discuss the challenges and impacts of substance use. These individualized, one-on-one sessions are designed to understand how substance use might affect your personal and academic goals and to offer tools, resources, recommendations, and referrals for appropriate care and support.
Payment and Registration
If you have been required to complete a Substance Use Assessment by the Office of Student Support & Accountability, please to pay the $125.00 fee. Payment must be completed before you can schedule your first session. For questions regarding payment or the assessment process, contact us at spartansmart@msu.edu.
After making your payment, call 517-355-8270 to schedule your initial appointment with MSU Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS). Please note that these appointments are held in-person. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from attending in person, inform the healthcare assistant when scheduling.
You will receive a reminder on the day of your appointment with instructions for completing brief assessment forms. The MSU CAPS staff look forward to assisting you.
Please note that this service is not available for students required to complete a substance use assessment by a court or legal entity outside of Michigan State University. For assistance with those requirements, email spartansmart.hp@msu.edu.
Most MSU students are likely to avoid harm related to alcohol use by either drinking in moderation and taking preventive measures or by abstaining from alcohol altogether. However, because alcohol abuse is closely linked to serious personal challenges and setbacks commonly faced by college students, it is essential for the wellbeing and success of our entire campus community that every student actively monitors their drinking patterns, recognizes significant risk factors, and understands the resources and support available both on campus and in the community. Utilizing the Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO is an important first step in this process.
Taking care of ourselves and supporting our friends are essential for fostering a vibrant and healthy Michigan State University community. Thank you for completing this program. Your dedication to becoming informed, compassionate, and proactive members of the Spartan community is greatly valued and appreciated.
Most MSU students are likely to avoid harm related to marijuana. However, because marijuana abuse is closely linked to serious personal challenges and setbacks commonly faced by college students, it is essential for the wellbeing and success of our entire campus community that every student actively monitors their use, recognizes significant risk factors, and understands the resources and support available both on campus and in the community. Utilizing the Marijuana eCHECKUP TO GO is an important first step in this process.
eCHECKUP TO GO is designed as a confidential self-assessment tool to enhance individual awareness and personal knowledge. Consequently, the results of your assessment are solely for your use and will remain private. San Diego State University will only provide MSU with anonymous, aggregate data upon request. This data will be used to inform and improve educational initiatives that address the needs and interests of the student body.
When evaluating your drinking habits, it can be helpful to understand the following definitions:
High Risk Alcohol Use: This refers to drinking that elevates a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) to 0.08 or higher, typically equating to 5 or more drinks for males or 4 or more for females in about 2 hours. This can also equate to 4 or more drinks per day or 14 per week for males, and 3 or more drinks a day or 7 per week for females. High risk drinking poses significant health and safety risks, including increased likelihood of injury, property damage, engaging in dangerous behaviors (like driving under the influence), and experiencing blackouts or alcohol poisoning. These effects can impact one's ability to perform well academically, professionally, and socially.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Can be mild, moderate or severe and involves a pattern of use that is harmful to a person’s health, wellbeing, relationships, mental health, and performance in academic or work setting. It may also lead to financial and legal implications.
Substance Use Dependency: Also known as addiction, this chronic brain disease, rewires areas of the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgement, and memory, caused by the combination of behavioral, psychological, environmental, and biological factors,
Alcoholism: A disease caused by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.
Biological Factors: Genetic differences that can predispose someone to developing a substance use disorder. alcohol abuse. Sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters of alcoholics are more likely to become alcohol abusers themselves.
Psychological Factors: Personality and psychological traits that predispose someone to alcohol abuse, including self-medicating unpleasant feelings and depression.
Environmental: External influences also play a significant role in alcohol abuse. Stressful work environments, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and peer pressure can all contribute to an increased risk of alcohol abuse.
Struggling to moderate or limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
Setting drinking limits but consistently failing to stick to them.
Wanting to cut down on alcohol consumption but finding it difficult to reduce intake.
Spending a lot of time securing alcohol, drinking, or recovering from alcohol use.
Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home due to repeated alcohol use.
Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social, or interpersonal problems.
Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to drink or because of drinking.
Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming.
Developing a tolerance to alcohol, requiring more to achieve the same effects or not feeling the same effects with the same amount.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like nausea, sweating or shaking when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms.
If you think a friend has an alcohol problem, here are some tips on how you can help. Know you do not have to figure this out on your own. We have great supports and resources ready and available for you.
Talk to your Friend: Choose a quiet, private environment to talk to your friend. Avoid initiating the discussion when you are angry or upset. Also, be sure that your friend is sober. Use I-statements to convey your feelings and concerns such as “I am worried about you” or “I am concerned about how much you drink”. Keep the discussion focused on your observations, such as what you have seen or events that have happened. Remember to not judge or criticize, just listen. If you find yourself getting angry, tactfully end the conversation and initiate it another time when you are calmer. Periodic and brief conversations may work best.
Prepare for Defensiveness: Your friend may deny that there is a problem or may become defensive. Don’t take this personally; it’s often difficult to come to terms with substance use problems. Be persistent. It may take several attempts on your part before your friend is ready to talk about alcohol use. If you meet resistance and/or your relationship is beginning to suffer as a result of the friends drinking, share how that drinking is affecting you. For example, “I really like spending time with you when you are sober, when you are drinking though, I don’t enjoy it as much. I never know what is going to happen to you, or what you’ll end up doing or saying.
Present Options: Even if your friend is not able to acknowledge that there is a problem, it is important to give your friend options. Provide a list of on- and off-campus local resources and offer reassurance that you will assist the friend in getting them the support they need when they are ready.
Setting Limits: Friends struggling with substance use issues can be challenging to be around and may even pose risks to your own wellbeing. At the very least, their behavior can complicate your life and disrupt enjoyable experiences. To mitigate these effects, establish clear boundaries on when and how you spend time with them. Set realistic limits that you can adhere to consistently. Even if your friend is not yet ready to address their drinking, maintaining these boundaries will help protect your own wellbeing and preserve the friendship until they are prepared to seek help.
Sources: Grand Valley State University, Columbia University, UCLA
Alcohol Drug Administrative Monitoring (ADAM) (court-ordered breathalyzers and drug screens): 517-4332-3804
Alcohol Drug Education Program (ADEP) (court-ordered breathalyzers and drug screens): 517-999-0092
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
On-campus:
Wednesday at 8 pm: Sense of Humor Group, Engineering Building Room 3400
Off-campus:
Sunday at 8 pm: St.Thomas Aquinas Church
Monday at 7:30 pm: Monday Back Porch Group, University Lutheran Church (Gay/Lesbian meeting, but all are welcome)
Tuesday at 6:30 pm: Women’s Group, University Lutheran Church
Tuesday at 7 pm: BB Study Group, People’s Church
Thursday at 6:30 pm: Primary Purpose Group, Eastminster Church
Friday at 6:30 pm: Gay/Lesbian Step, United Ministries (all welcome)
Friday at 9:30 pm: Young Survivors Group, Eastminster Church
Saturday, 10 am: Saturday Live, Eastminster Church
Ascension Brighton Center for Recovery: 877-976-2371
ASMSU Legal Services: 517-353-3716
Care Coordination Center: 888-230-7629
Comprehensive Psychological Services: 517-337-2900
Gambler’s Anonymous Meetings
Off-campus:
Friday at 6 pm: Edgewood United Church
Lansing Psychological Associates (court-ordered assessment and education): 517-337-6545
Mid-Michigan Recovery Services (NCADD In Lansing): 800-337-2310
MSU Police Department Court Ordered Breathalyzer: 517-355-2221
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
On-campus:
Monday at 7:30 pm: Engineering Building, Room 1225
Nicotine Anonymous Meetings
On-campus:
Tuesday at 8 pm: Engineering Building, Room 2320
The Recovery Center: 517-267-7623
Tobacco Quitline Program: Michigan Tabacco Quitline is a free program open to students, as well as employees and their partners, providing a professional Quit Coach, a personalized quitting strategy, and other resources to help you stop smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-6669).
Interested in an educational session for students concerned about their own alcohol or other drug use, or that of a friend or family member? Contact Haily Gosen at gosenhai@msu.edu.
To request a TIPS training workshop and become certified, please contact Health Promotion at spartansmart@msu.edu.