ADCAS Services for Required Referrals

What is ADCAS?

• Confidential service for Western students that provides assessment, individualized feedback, education, and consultation with a professional regarding alcohol and other drug use.
• Science-based program that reduces underage and high-risk drinking by assisting students in making more responsible personal choices.
• Part of the fulfillment of sanctions required by the University and/or the Bellingham Municipal Court for students who have violated alcohol and other drug policies and/or state laws.

How does ADCAS work?

Step 1: Referral to ADCAS

• Call 650-3642 to schedule the Group I Session.
• The Prevention/Intervention Fee ($100) will automatically be billed to your Student Account following your attendance at the Group I Session. Please note that students pay the $100 fee only when they receive required referrals (e.g. referrals from Resident Directors, the University Judicial Officer, or Bellingham Municipal Court).

Step 2: Attend Your Group I Session

• 50-minute session facilitated by trained peer educators.
• Content: Confidentiality of ADCAS services, alcohol and the body, alcohol myths and misperceptions, alcohol content of a "standard drink," alcohol content of most popular drinks, and serving sizes.
• Homework: ADCAS online assessment and self-monitoring cards.

Step 3: Online Assessment

• 10 minute online assessment
• Automatic individualized feedback profile.
• Online instructions for scheduling "next step."

Step 4: Professional Consultation

• 90-minute individual and/or group session with professional staff.
• Content: Behavioral effects of substance use, expectancies and reality, tolerance, drug and alcohol interactions, decision-making, risk-reduction stragegies, and the change process.

Step 5: Follow-Up

• Computerized follow-up questionnaire 30 days after completion of ADCAS.

How private and confidential is ADCAS?

• ADCAS is committed to student privacy and is required by law to maintain the privacy of the health information students provide.
• At the Intake/Information Session, students will receive a description of ADCAS privacy practices and their rights to access and control private information.
• To assist students in fulfilling their mandated sanctions, ADCAS informs the referral source that the student either did or did not complete their ADCAS requirements.

Will my private responses on the assessment be given to my Resident Director, WWU, the Court, or my parents?

No. Your responses are part of your protected personal health information. Your completion or failure to complete the entire ADCAS process is the only information released to Residence Life, WWU, or the Court. If you choose to give additional information to the referral source or your parents, you must sign a consent for release of specific information. Note: If your health and safety is in jeopardy because of alcohol or other drug use, professionals at Western have the option of notifying parents and/or guardians on a case-by-case basis.

Will the referral to ADCAS go on my academic transcript?

No. ADCAS services are not a part of your WWU academic transcript. Information about your referral can be released only with your signed consent. However, if you fail to complete a referral made by a WWU official to ADCAS, the University Judicial Officer and/or the Residence Life Judicial Officer have the option of putting a hold on your registration.

Once I finish ADCAS services, am I done with required activity?

Yes. But remember ADCAS professionals have the option of requiring your attendance at additional individual or group sessions. ADCAS is part of Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services, and ADCAS professionals may recommend that you see other health and/or counseling professionals.