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Alcohol and Other Drug Education

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We’re here to support you!

Alcohol and drugs are a part of life for many college students. Many others, however, choose not to drink alcohol or to do so in a very limited way. Sometimes, students can have concerns and problems with alcohol.

Teen group with adult

Literature indicates that a large number of college students consume alcohol. However, many students may be unknowingly overindulging in alcohol consumption.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that in the United States, a “standard drink” is defined as any drink that contains about 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol. These measurements are equivalent to:

  • 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol by volume)
  • 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol by volume)
  • 1.5 ounces or a shot of 80-proof hard liquor (40% alcohol by volume)
    * Gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey are examples of hard liquor or distilled spirits.

Any Dallas College student who is concerned about their drinking pattern and how it compares to other college students, is invited to participate in 360 Proof.

To view examples of standard drink sizes, visit the NIAAA website.

Alcohol binge drinking heavy drinking or excessive alcohol use.

  • Males: 5 or more drinks consumed in a two-to-three-hour setting
  • Females: 4 or more drinks consumed in a two-to-three-hour setting
  • Alcohol use by people under the minimum legal drinking age (21)
  • Alcohol use by pregnant women

A national survey indicates that college students who binge drink at least three times per week were roughly six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or project compared to students who drank but never binged.

Dallas College supports students as they navigate these choices through various education, counseling and prevention programs.

Alcohol-Free Options

Join us at pop up events across Dallas College campuses for performances and activities including educational programs, blood drives, health fairs, and other fun events! For more information, follow @healthydallascollege on Instagram, and view the student wellbeing events webpage.

Recovery Support Group

Dallas College offers students a weekly recovery support group to help one another maintain sobriety. The primary requirement is that students want to remain clean and sober. For more information contact Dr. Kimberley Toynes at kltoynes@DallasCollege.edu.

NARCAN Training

NARCAN Nasal Spray is a Food and Drug Administration-approved nasal formulation of naloxone to treat known or suspected opioid overdose. Learn how to administer NARCAN through various trainings. Dallas College nurses can help connect students and employees to online trainings, and in-person trainings will be available in the near future. For more information email m.brock@DallasCollege.edu.

Online Alcohol and Other Drug Programs

Check out these free online tools that support healthy decisions and promote positive behaviors.

360 Proof

How does your drinking pattern compare to other college students? Find out today with 360 Proof.

360 Proof is a comprehensive evidence-based program created to help college students reduce the consequences of high-risk alcohol use. Students who access 360 Proof can participate in an anonymous online tool called the Personalized Feedback Index (PFI). It only takes 15 minutes to complete the PFI on your computer or a mobile device, and you immediately receive confidential, individualized feedback about your alcohol use.

At Dallas College, the 360 Proof program enhances collaboration between campus prevention with the support of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Questions about 360 Proof

  1. Click on the following hyperlink 360proof.org/pfi
  2. Slowly enter the letters Dallas College in the box
  3. School names will begin to populate as you type the letters
  4. Select Dallas College from the dropdown names that appear
  5. Click LAUNCH

Immediately after completion of the PFI, you will receive feedback, allowing you to see how your alcohol use compares to other college students who drink. Students who take part in the PFI may come to recognize that consuming alcohol may cause excessive absenteeism and academic difficulties. These behaviors along with other distractions can lead to procrastination, which can result in academic failure.

Currently enrolled Dallas College students can reach out to Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) for further assistance interpreting their PFI. Email CAPS counselor, Dr. Kim Toynes, at kltoynes@DallasCollege.edu. Psychoeducation and small support groups are offered by CAPS in-person as well as virtually. Please see information below for In-Person Alcohol and Other Drug Programs.

360 Proof is a free program to Dallas College students interested in learning more about alcohol. The 360 Proof PFI affords students the opportunity to consider the personal impact of alcohol use and strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms as well as consequences.

In-Person Alcohol and Other Drug Programs

Helping students make healthy choices.

Counseling

Dallas College offers in-person consultation for alcohol and other drug concerns through the Counseling and Psychological Services Department. Students can meet with any counselor for questions or concerns about substances, and if there are additional questions, students can meet with the licensed chemical dependency counselor, Dr. Kimberley Toynes in-person or virtually. Dr. Toynes can meet to discuss more in-depth concerns associated with individual use, family issues or recovery/relapse prevention. Please contact Dr. Toynes at kltoynes@DallasCollege.edu.

Students do not need to have a substance abuse issue to meet with a counselor and talk about concerns.

BASICS

If students would like to explore alcohol or other drug concerns, a counselor may recommend participation in BASICS. BASICS means Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and is a two-session assessment created for college students. Developed at the University of Washington, BASICS reduces negative consequences of drinking, as well as alcohol consumption rates.

Some students may be assigned BASICS as part of a conduct sanction or you can opt in if you have concerns about your own alcohol use. There is no cost to participate. To find out more contact Dr. Kimberley Toynes at kltoynes@DallasCollege.edu.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous offers both in person and online meetings. Their free app Meeting Guide can be downloaded to your phone or computer for a listing of over 100,000 weekly meetings. You can also visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website to view meeting information.

  • Open meetings are open to anyone interested in AA
  • Closed meetings are only for those who have a desire to stop drinking or think they might be an alcoholic

For questions and to learn more, contact your regional Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) office:

  • Dallas AA phone number: 214-887-6699
  • Fort Worth AA phone number: 817-332-3533

Al-Anon

Al-Anon offers to help families or friends of people who struggle with alcohol use or abuse, to recover from the effects of alcohol misuse. If you, or someone you know has a parent, sibling, or friend living with this condition, get support today by connecting with Al-Anon.

  • Al Anon Regional Office phone number: 214-363-0461
 

Explore Health Promotions​

Stay healthy and informed! Explore other Health Promotions at Dallas College by using the links below.