According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using. An estimated 15 million people in the United States have AUD.*
The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 54.9% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month, 36.9% engaged in binge drinking in the past month, and 9.65% engaged in heavy alcohol use.** In response to this prevalence, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence created Alcohol Awareness Month.
Helping, Together
In response to COVID-19, Sharpen has released a special version of our app for college students to support prevention and education of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. As such, we participate in collective efforts that provides support, education, awareness, and resources - not only for the affected individuals but for their friends and family members.
Our Part
Working in collaboration with the Forrester Center for Behavioral Health, Sharpen has developed a series of psycho-educational modules on the topics of substance use disorders featuring best practices for helping a loved one who might be struggling.
Our platform also provides resources and networks that support individuals in recovery. Moreover, Sharpen tackles a wide range of mental health issues that often go hand-in-hand with substance use disorders.
Feel free to share the resource with any college student who might be struggling.
* National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Retrieved via Alcohol.org.
** National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Fall Semester—A Time for Parents To Discuss the Risks of College Drinking. Retrieved via Alcohol.org.