BASICS and Substance Use and Recovery Visits
Columbia Health provides substance use and recovery support for students through Alice! Health Promotion. To receive support through BASICS, begin by completing the Alcohol Use Self-Assessment or the Cannabis Use Self-Assessment. To receive support for nicotine cessation, begin by completing the Nicotine Cessation Intake Form.
Substance Use and Recovery Visits at Columbia Health
Columbia Health offers Substance Use and Recovery services for students who are navigating their relationships with substances; are in long-term recovery; impacted by a family or friend’s substance use; or are seeking support with other related conversations.
Students have access to two types of substance use and recovery visits.
- BASICS: Assists students examine their drinking and other substance-use behavior (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students)
- Nicotine Cessation: Provides support and accountability for students seeking to quit their tobacco and nicotine usage.
Additionally, Columbia Health offers self-assessments for alcohol use, cannabis use, and nicotine cessation. These assessments can help you better understand your relationship with these substances, and they can be used to indicate your interest in scheduling a visit.
All substance use and recovery visits are non-judgmental, non-labeling, and confidential.
Who is eligible?
Services are available to all students on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses. This includes those at Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, and Jewish Theological Seminary.
How do I access BASICS or Nicotine Cessation visits?
BASICS
Students may access BASICS through a self-referral, a soft referral, or a mandatory referral. BASICS is educational and isn’t a means of discipline. BASICS sessions are tailored to the individual student’s goals, regardless of the referral type.
BASICS appointments are offered virtually, but in-person requests may be accommodated if needed.
Students may refer themselves to BASICS if they are concerned about their relationship with alcohol and other substances. To make a self-referral:
- Complete the Alcohol Use Self-Assessment or the Cannabis Use Self-Assessment.
- If considered appropriate, you will see an option to participate in BASICS. Click the “Yes, I am interested in BASICS” icon.
- Schedule an appointment using the link sent to your email.
Campus administrators (professors, staff members, medical or mental health professionals) may recommend a student for the BASICS program if they’re concerned about how a student’s substance use is affecting them.
Students who receive a soft referral are not required to complete the program.
Campus administrators (such as Deans, residential program staff, Student Conduct and Community Standards) may submit a mandatory referral to BASICS if a student’s substance use contributes to:
- Requiring emergency medical attention or transport
- Violations of school policies or other students’ rights (e.g., sexual harassment)
- Ethical violations
- Inappropriate behavior at school-sponsored events
- Disruptive behavior in the classroom or work placements associated with the university
Nicotine Cessation Visits
To attend Nicotine Cessation Visits, complete the Nicotine Cessation Intake form, and then schedule an appointment using the link sent to your email.
There are no limits to the number of sessions a student can schedule. During their sessions, students will discuss their goals, use history, and earlier efforts to quit. Then, they will work with a specialist to develop a plan that includes accountability and coaching on strategies to help them quit using tobacco and nicotine.
How much will it cost?
Students can attend all Substance Use and Recovery Visits at no additional cost.
What else do I need to know?
The BASICS program is NOT an abstinence-only program. Instead, students select goals that aim to reduce risky behavior and potential consequences.
If you have any questions about BASICS, Nicotine Visits, or other substance use-related issues, email [email protected].
Where can I learn more about this?
To learn more about alcohol and other substance use, check out the fact sheets on Columbia’s health Q&A resource, Go Ask Alice! Some of the ones related to substance use include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. BASICS is an educational option after a policy, procedure, or regulatory violation related to alcohol or other substance misuse or abuse, whether on or off campus.
First, you’ll have an initial meeting with a BASICS provider. Then, they may ask you to do an online assessment after your session. Finally, you’ll schedule a follow-up meeting with the same provider.