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1. Start early and continue to stay involvedÌýÌý

Talking openly with your student about alcohol and other drugs can help them feel more prepared to handle a range of situations. Starting these conversations early and continuing them over time gives your student the tools and confidence to make safer, more informed choices.Ìý

College students in particular are at higher risk for harms associated with alcohol and other drugs. Your continued involvement can be a protective measure for your student against these harms. As part of the conversation, be sure to ask your student about the activities they’re getting involved in, the relationships they’re forming with roommates and friends and what their overall experience has been like.ÌýÌýÌý

It could be helpful to use the continuum of substance use as a framework. The continuum helps visualize substance use as a spectrum rather than a binary (use vs. don't use). It acknowledges that people may move between stages over time and that each stage presents different risks and opportunities for reflection.Ìý

• Substance-free: No current use; may have never used or rarely used.Ìý

• Experimental: Trying substances without knowing how they affect you.Ìý

• Regular use: Using substances with some understanding of their effects.Ìý

• High-risk use: Experiencing negative consequences due to use.Ìý

• Living in recovery: Actively moderating, reducing harm or practicing sobriety.Ìý

2. Encourage honest dialogueÌý

If you’re starting this conversation for the first time, keep in mind that your student may be hesitant to open up. They might worry about getting in trouble or feel like they’ve already heard everything about alcohol and drugs. Approach the topic with patience and continue the discussion over time—your ongoing conversations can become more meaningful and effective as trust grows.Ìý

Listening actively and without judgment is essential whenever you talk with your student, especially about substance use. Encourage them to share their thoughts honestly, listen attentively, and affirm their strengths and values. Avoid arguing or debating points—instead, focus on understanding their perspective. This supportive approach can help ease any initial discomfort your student may feel and foster a more genuine dialogue.Ìý

3. Familiarize yourself with policies, laws and resourcesÌýÌý

There are a lot of policies and laws regarding alcohol and other drugs that can be helpful for students and families to understand.ÌýÌý

Drinking age: The state of Colorado and CU prohibit drinking alcohol for students under 21. If your student is of age living in a residence hall, they may only possess and consume alcohol within their assigned space with the door closed. It is also against the law for someone over 21 to provide alcohol to people who are under 21.Ìý

Amnesty Policy: To encourage students to help one another in the event of an alcohol- or drug-related emergency, CU has an Amnesty Policy. This means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions from the university.ÌýÌý

911 Good Samaritan Law: Under Colorado’s , a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when they report, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose to a law enforcement officer, the 911 system or a medical provider. This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer, or an emergency medical responder arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.ÌýÌý

Smoking policy: CU is also a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. This policy applies to all vape products, marijuana and cigarettes.ÌýÌýÌý

Workshops: CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß provides a variety of resources to help students. Health Promotion offers free substance use workshops that allow students to discuss substance use with a peer or professional staff member. There are also free, anonymous online feedback tools related to , and/or .ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Collegiate Recovery Community: The Collegiate Recovery Community (CUCRC) provides a space for students who are in recovery or seeking recovery from substances to find community, attend meetings and attend substance-free events.ÌýÌý

4. Discuss how drinking affects the bodyÌýÌý

There is a lot of misinformation about how alcohol can impact the body. You can support your student by providing accurate information about the following effects from alcohol:ÌýÌý

• Alcohol is absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream.ÌýÌý

• At lower blood alcohol concentrations, alcohol can lead students to have a sense of relaxation and well-being in addition to impairments to their thoughts, judgment and coordination.ÌýÌýÌý

• At higher concentrations, it can lead to feelings of depression, mood swings, unconsciousness and loss of control over basic bodily functions that can be fatal.Ìý

Talk with your student to see how familiar they are with this process and help provide additional information if needed.Ìý

6. Share your values and experiencesÌýÌý

Continue to talk with your student about your family’s values related to alcohol and other drugs. This can include discussions about how substance use may affect their academic success and overall college experience.ÌýÌý

When talking about substances and their impacts, your student may ask questions about what it was like when you were in college. Be honest with them about your experience but try to avoid stories that normalize or idolize substance use.ÌýÌýÌý

7. Correct misconceptionsÌýÌý

Long before they step foot on campus, students may have assumptions or expectations around what the ‘college experience’ looks like. Most of these messages, whether from friends, movies or social media, normalize drinking and partying in college.ÌýÌý

However, according to a 2023 National College Health Assessment survey of CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß students, more than 66% of students reported either not using alcohol or not binge drinking within the past two weeks. Helping your student realize that most students aren’t drinking or using marijuana on a regular basis may help them feel more comfortable about making the decision not to drink. It can also help them realize that there isn’t a standard ‘college experience’ they need to live up to.

8. Understand why students use substancesÌýÌý

There are many reasons that factor into why students do or do not use alcohol or other drugs. Talking through potential motivations can help guide your conversations, and it allows you to reinforce your student’s decisions to not use substances or use them in a safer way. It’s also important to understand the misconceptions your student may have about substance use. This can also be a good time to brainstorm other ways your student can have the experiences they want.Ìý

It’s important to remember that students may have different reasons for using substances, and it may depend on the substance itself. Keep in mind that substances that students use today may be different from the ones you remember from your experiences. For instance, cannabis products today are much stronger and more varied than they were in the past. In addition to the traditional marijuana flower, there are now many other forms like concentrates, edibles and oils that are widely available and often much more potent. This increase in strength and variety can lead to more intense and sometimes unexpected effects, especially for young people who may not be familiar with these newer products.Ìý

If your student is interested in conversations about their substance use with a fellow Buff who’s a trained facilitator, encourage them to check out the Buffs Discuss Substance Use workshop.