Alcohol & Other Drug Services

Request a program 

Use this program request form to request an AOD program, speaker, training, or tabling representative.

If you’re struggling with alcohol or other drug use – or if you’re concerned about or impacted by someone who is – we have services and resources that can help.

Services at Cornell Health

We offer a wide range of alcohol or other drug (AOD) services for students — from education to individual and group support.

AOD Support Sessions 

Schedule an AOD Support Session to speak to explore how substance use may be impacting your mental health or quality of life, develop a personalized action plan, and identify helpful resources for support.

You can schedule an appointment with an AOD Services Coordinator by calling Cornell Health at 607-255-5155, or by logging in to myCornellHealth using your Cornell NetID and password, and clicking on "Appointments." 

BASICS 

BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students) is a two-session assessment and feedback process that helps you evaluate your own alcohol / drug use, and explore in a judgment-free environment how your use may be affecting your life.

Some students choose to participate in BASICS to learn more about their own behavior, and/or develop strategies for decreasing their drinking or drug use. Other students may be required to participate in BASICS when found in violation of Cornell’s Code of Conduct or House Rules.

Visit our BASICS page for more information.

Group counseling

Research shows that group counseling is the most effective method of addressing issues with alcohol or other drugs (AOD).

Each semester, our Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff offer counseling groups on topics designed to support habit change, harm reduction strategies, and/or abstinence-based recovery, based on the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change

AOD groups are open to undergraduate and graduate/professional students, and are offered free of charge. 

Visit our Group Counseling page to learn more. 

Individual counseling

Substance use and mental health are often linked. Frequent use of alcohol or other drugs (AOD) can have a serious impact on one's mental health. Similarly substance use may become habitual as a means of coping with one's mental health struggles. Whichever came first, it's best to work on mental health and substance use at the same time.

  • If you're already seeing a mental health counselor (here at CAPS or elsewhere), it's a good idea to talk with them about substance use.
  • If you don't have a therapist, but you'd like some help sorting things out, it's a good idea to reach out.

Speaking individually with a counselor can help you work through challenges you might be facing, including those related to alcohol or other drugs (AOD). A counselor can help you develop strategies for reducing or abstaining from AOD use, and address any underlying problems (family issues, depression, anxiety, etc.) that may be contributing to your use. Counseling can also be a great resource for students who are concerned about – or impacted by – a friend or family member who struggles with their AOD use.

Visit our Individual Counseling page to learn more about our counseling services and how to set up an appointment.

Workshops

Cornell Health counselors facilitate psycho-educational drop-in workshops focused on helping students to thrive. These 60-minute workshops are offered via Zoom during the academic year.

  • Cannabis, Considerations for University Students 
  • Tobacco and Vaping Cessation
  • Drinking Limits, Understanding Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Get workshop details on our CAPS Workshops page.

Tobacco / nicotine cessation

Cornell Health provides both personal guidance, pharmacy support, and other resources to those who want to quit using tobacco and other nicotine products. Students wishing to get support for these concerns should schedule an Access Appointment to be connected with a counselor. 

Learn more about tobacco / nicotine services

Online education

All new incoming undergraduate students (first-year and transfer) are required to complete an online alcohol or other drugs (AOD) education program, even if you are among the many Cornellians who choose not to drink alcohol or use other drugs. This interactive training includes Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO: a personalized, evidence-based, online prevention intervention developed by psychologists at San Diego State University. 

Other on-campus resources  

Sober@Cornell

Sober@Cornell is a student organization for those abstaining from alcohol and other drugs (including students in recovery), and others who are interested in exploring and enjoying sobriety at Cornell. Members meet regularly, organize activities on and off campus, and participate in a sober housing option at Cornell.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings

 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are now available virtually, via Zoom. These are "open" meetings, meaning that all are welcome, regardless of whether or not you drink, or think you have a problem. People interested in finding out what these meetings are like are welcome to log in, listen and observe.

Visit aa.org for more information about AA and what to expect from meetings.

Cornell United Religious Work (CURW)

At CURW, representatives from a wide range of religious faiths and spiritual beliefs can provide free, confidential, and individualized pastoral counseling. Learn more at curw.cornell.edu.

Resources in the community

Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services

Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) offers individualized services tailored to meet the needs of college students. CARS accepts most insurance plans, and fees are on a sliding scale. To make an appointment, call 607-237-5500.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous is appropriate for anyone with questions or concerns about their drinking, and for those looking for a welcoming community to support their sobriety.

While many who attend these meetings abstain from alcohol, you do not necessarily need to be ready to stop drinking to benefit from going to AA meetings, listening to the stories of others, and building friendships. Members of the group lead the discussion sessions and attendance is free.

There are many virtual daily meetings in the Ithaca area to choose from. Please visit the Ithaca Community Recovery website for the up-to-date schedule, with Zoom links and password information.

Please check the AA website to confirm times and places of community meetings.

Marijuana Anonymous (MA)

Marijuana Anonymous offers free and confidential support group meetings for individuals who want to stop using marijuana. They offer in-person and online meetings.

The Ithaca group meets at Ithaca Community Recovery at 518 West Seneca Street on Fridays at 6:00 pm. For more information, contact a member of the group

Ithaca Community Recovery

Ithaca Community Recovery provides a meeting and activity space for a wide variety of 12-step and other recovery-oriented groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), Al-Anon, Marijuana Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous.

See a current schedule of meetings here. Ithaca Community Recovery is located at 518 West Seneca Street.

Al-Anon / Alateen

Ithaca's Al-Anon / Alateen meetings are for relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems.

There are virtual meetings available in the Ithaca area. Please visit the Ithaca Community Recovery website for the up-to-date schedule, with Zoom links and password information.

More information

Visit our Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) Resources section for information about:

  • use among students
  • tips for partying safely
  • how to identify a dependency problem