Substance Abuse Referrals: Criteria for CAPS

CAPS provides substance abuse assessments, brief individual and group therapies and referrals for all students who are concerned about their substance use.  Our goal is to provide a collaborative and non-judgmental environment, for those who are interested, to openly explore their alcohol and/or other drug use.  Using the principles of “Motivational Interviewing”, CAPS therapists emphasize partnerships that respect the expertise, values, perspectives and intrinsic motivation of all our clients.  Services are designed to meet individualized needs, however CAPS does not provide court mandated therapy. As with all mental health services, CAPS substance abuse services are strictly confidential. 

Students who are concerned about whether or not they have a substance abuse problem may use an acronym called “CAGE” to ask themselves the following questions:

• Have you ever tried to Cut down on your substance use?
• Do you get Angry when people suggest you might have a problem with substances?
• Do you ever feel Guilty after a night of drinking or using?
• Do you ever drink to cure a hangover (“Eye-opener”)?

If you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, you might have a problem.

The following is a list of signs and symptoms that might indicate the presence of a substance abuse or other mental health problem.

1. Change in physical appearance, personality, attitude or behavior
2. Changes in appetite; unexplained weight loss or gain. 
3. Poor physical coordination; slowed or staggering walk
4. Red, watery eyes, blank stare
5. Cold or sweaty palms; trembling hands
6. Puffy face, blushing or paleness
7. Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes
8. Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness
9. Runny nose; hacking cough
10. Needle marks on lower arms or legs
11. Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating
12. Tremors or shaking of hands, feet or head
13. Irregular heartbeat
14. Change in overall personality with no identifiable cause
15. Sudden avoidance of old friends; new friends are known substance users
16. Drop in grades; missing classes
17. Loss of interest in friends and family
18. Difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness
19. Lack of motivation, energy and self-esteem
20. Sudden oversensitivity or temper tantrums
21. Moodiness, irritability or nervousness
22. Giddiness
23. Paranoia
24. Excessive need for privacy; unreachable
25. Secretive or suspicious behavior
26. Accidents: car or bike,
27. falling
28. Chronic dishonesty
29. Unexplained need for money, stealing
30. Change in personal grooming habits
31. Possession of drug paraphernalia

Some students who have concerns about their drinking may have attended educational sessions conducted by the Substance Abuse Prevention Program in Health Promotion Services. These meetings are not mandatory for CAPS assessments.

If you have not attended the educational sessions, we highly recommend that students contact the Substance Abuse Prevention Program to learn more about problem drinking on college campuses.  They can be reached by contacting Health Promotion Services at 723-0821.

All students interested in receiving a substance abuse evaluation at CAPS should complete an on-line self assessment questionnaire called the E-CHUG at https://interwork.sdsu.edu/echug2/Stanford.  The E-CHUG is strictly confidential, and after completing it, students should print the results to bring to their first appointment at CAPS. 

Interested students should contact CAPS at (650) 723-3785 for further information.