Put down that red Solo cup and listen in as we talk with Dr. James McOwen, clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this eye-opening chat, we dive into the real deal about college drinking and drug culture.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• What percentage of college students drink, and when does it slip into a problem drinking
• Tips for partying smart if you do choose to drink
• Why pizza is your drinking ally
• Is drinking the same for men and women?
• Is drinking too much the only sign of a drinking problem?
• What do to if you’d like to cut back or take less risk when you’re drinking
• Is switching to weed the better solution?
• Specific red flags that your drinking might be a problem

Perfect for college students trying to navigate the drinking scene, parents worried about their kids, or anyone interested in the fascinating connection between mental health and substance use in young adults. This episode keeps it real while giving you practical advice you can actually use!

RESOURCES:

Thank you to Dr. McKowen for sharing these resources with us!

https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/resources/federal-national

https://www.acha.org/college-health-topics/substance-use/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365113

Questionnaires:

https://nida.nih.gov/taps2/ (click “I’m a patient” at the bottom)

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/checkyourdrinking/index.html

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/10526/drug-abuse-screening-test-10-dast-10

MORE ABOUT DR. McKOWEN:

Dr. James McKowen is a licensed clinical child psychologist and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed his post-doctoral training at MGH in addiction medicine and pediatric neuropsychology. He is currently the clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service, an outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of adolescents and young adults with substance use and comorbid mental health issues. He conducts research in youth addiction including neuropsychological predictors engagement, marijuana smoking and aggression in youth, and he developed a protocol for treating substance use in youth with autism. In addition, for the past several years, Dr. McKowen has been expanding his clinical and research interests in the impacts of climate change on youth mental health. He is co-chair of the MGH Climate and Mental Health Initiative, Associate at the MGH Center for Environmental and Health, Affiliate Faculty, Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE) Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and member of the Climate Psychology Alliance – Youth Subcommittee. He is trained in climate-aware therapy and conducts research on climate change related emotions and coping in youth.

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Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner