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Substance Use
&
You
Are you curious about your relationship with substance use? Do you want to explore how it impacts your life, stress, social circles, and overall well-being?
This is a 6-week psychoeducation and support group for college students who want to better understand their substance use and make informed decisions moving forward.
In this group, you’ll learn about the role of substances in college life, explore your personal history and patterns, and reflect on the influence of family, friends, and social media. Whether you use substances for fun, to cope with stress, or both, this group will help you recognize when your use might be concerning and provide tools for change.
Join us to explore your habits, set personal goals, and develop healthier ways to navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re looking to cut back, change your habits, or simply gain a better understanding, this group provides a supportive space to explore and grow.
Who This Group Is For:
Substance Use and You is ideal for college students who:
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Are curious about their relationship with substance use and want to explore it further.
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Use substances for social reasons, fun, or as a way to cope with stress and want to better understand these patterns.
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Feel uncertain about whether their substance use is problematic and want a safe space to explore these concerns.
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Are open to learning about how external influences like family, friends, and social media affect their decisions around substance use.
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Want to build healthier coping strategies and set goals for managing or reducing their use.
Who This Group Is Not For:
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You live outside of Minnesota.
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Are currently struggling with severe substance use disorder or dependence requiring more intensive treatment (such as inpatient or outpatient rehab, detox, or individual therapy focused on addiction recovery).
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Need immediate crisis intervention for substance use or related issues.
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Are not open to self-reflection, goal-setting, or participating in group discussions.
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Are looking for a clinical treatment group specifically focused on addiction recovery rather than exploration and support around substance use patterns.
What to Expect
Key Topics:
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Understanding your relationship with substance use
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Influence of family, friends, and social pressures
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Substance use as fun vs. a coping mechanism
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Identifying problematic use and setting goals for change
When you join, you can expect a safe, supportive space where college students like you come together to explore their relationship with substance use. This group is designed to provide both education and peer support, helping you gain insights and practical skills to make informed decisions about your substance use.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
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Open and Honest Discussions: You’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences with substance use in a judgment-free environment and hear from others going through similar challenges.
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Learning About Substance Use: Each session will include information on substance use patterns, influences like family, social media, and peer pressure, and how to recognize when use may be problematic.
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Self-Reflection: You’ll engage in activities and exercises to reflect on your own relationship with substances and how they impact different areas of your life.
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Skill-Building: Learn coping strategies and tools to manage stress, social pressure, and emotions in healthier ways, beyond turning to substances.
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Goal-Setting: Throughout the group, you’ll be encouraged to set personal goals for your substance use and develop a plan for making any changes you want to see in your life.
You don’t need to have all the answers—this group is here to help you explore your relationship with substances at your own pace, with support from others who understand what you’re going through.
Why Join?
Navigating college life can be overwhelming, and substance use often becomes part of how we handle stress, social situations, or simply have fun. But do you ever wonder if your relationship with substances is helping or hurting you? This group offers a chance to explore that question in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
By joining this group, you'll gain:
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Clarity on your personal substance use patterns and behaviors.
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Support from peers who are navigating similar experiences and challenges.
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Skills to manage stress and emotions without relying on substances.
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Awareness of social pressures and how family, friends, and media influence your decisions.
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Tools to recognize when your use may be concerning and how to create healthier habits.
Whether you're looking to make a change or just want to understand your habits better, this group is here to help you take control and make informed choices.
When & Where
Group Facilitator: Alex Rhees, MSW, LGSW (He/Him/His)
Virtual Meeting Link:
Will be emailed available after registration
Group size: 4-20 people