Alcohol Harm International Student Resources

Safety, success, and stability: student resources for substance use concerns Finding a home away from

Two student organizations on campus offer spaces for students looking to reduce their alcohol and drug use and focus on success.

The University of Iowa is dedicated to improving students’ interactions with alcohol by implementing procedures from a research-based Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan and providing access to confidential and group resources to discuss substance use and find safe spaces for alternate social activities. Success, Not Excess

Students considering making a change in their alcohol and drug consumption can find support at Success, Not Excess meetings. Success, Not Excess is a group offering students a space to discuss alcohol and drug consumption concerns. The group focuses on goals relating to success in academics, mental and physical health, and relationships through alcohol and drug abstinence and reduction.

During group meetings, students should expect to: • Learn alternative paths to have fun, socialize, and cope with stress outside of substance use. • Identify problems created by using and establish skills to avoid/prevent those problems. • Explore connections between our emotional experiences and our substance use. • Support each other as we work toward reducing harmful outcomes of excessive alcohol and other drug use and celebrate the successes that follow making changes. Success, Not Excess is not a treatment group, and there are no attendance requirements. Students might benefit from attending the group if their alcohol and drug use: • Interferes with academic and work performance • Interferes with relationships • Increases due to boredom, stress, or to fit in with peers • Causes blacking out and memory loss • Leads to feelings of regret about actions while under the influence To ensure confidentiality, students are instructed to change their zoom name to show only their first name and pronouns. Group facilitators will ask each member to privately send them their first and last name, current address, and emergency contact's phone number. Strength in Numbers

Strength in Numbers is a UI organization offering alternative social activities for students who do not incorporate alcohol or drugs. The organization does not look to discourage alcohol and drug use; its main focus is to provide fun social gatherings for students to connect. Strength in Numbers is a safe and inclusive space for students who have been impacted by substance abuse or are in recovery. Events include socials and community service opportunities.

Nathan Charles/The Daily Iowan

International students at the UI have a pool of resources available that make navigating the University of Iowa and Iowa City life manageable.

International students at the University of Iowa can access resources across the university to help them adjust and thrive to life at the UI and in Iowa City, and connect them with a network of support. In the fall 2020 semester, The University of Iowa hosted 2,072 international students from dozens of countries across the world. International students can find support from International Student and Scholar Services, a department within the UI’s International Programs. The service provides immigration assistance, intercultural training, and support with transitioning to living in Iowa City. International Programs also offers Life in Iowa, an extended orientation program that aims to help international students adjust to life and academics at the University of Iowa. In spring 2021, the program held sessions including internship and job search help, discussion about shock, cookie decorating, and more. Students can find support through Friends Without Borders, the Organization for the Active Support of International Students, and Global Buddies, all programs of the International Programs aimed to help international students build a social and support network at the UI. There are also a variety of independent student organizations that are built around specific national identities, which are open to both local U of I hosted 2,072 and international international students. students from Examples include dozens of countries the African around the world Student Associa- in the fall tion, the Bangla- 2020 semester deshi Student Association, the Middle East and North Africa Student Association, and many more.