Alcohol and Drug Abuse (AODA) Prevention Program

Madison College recognizes that drug and alcohol dependency or abuse can cause major health problems, as well as  safety and security problems. It is important to point out that even being impaired can cause significant problems. Just being drunk can lead to a DUI, a fight, or a tragedy even if it's the first time the person has been drunk.

Alcohol or drug abuse means that the use of a substance has caused a problem in the life of either the user or a significant other. Dependency means that the person is using to feel normal and has no ability to abstain. Students are encouraged to address problems due to alcohol or other drug use as soon as possible. It makes no sense to wait until dependency has developed.

 Some of the problems due to alcohol or another drug include:

• Diseases of the liver, brain, heart, pancreas and every other organ and/or system in the body;
• Depression, moodiness, disorientation and lack of inhibitions, which can lead to increased risk of accident, suicide and violent behavior including homicide;
• Difficulties with memory, concentration, attention span, abstract reasoning and the ability to process perceptual information in a manner consistent with reality;
• Spontaneous miscarriage and fetal malformations including physical, cognitive and emotional problems which can be permanent; and
• The risk of dependency and its related physical, mental, emotional, social, legal, family and financial problems.

A student in need of assistance to work through such problems is encouraged to contact the AODA Specialist. Conscientious efforts to seek such help shall not in themselves jeopardize any student’s enrollment and will not be noted in the student’s educational record. Any assistance provided can be done anonymously and is kept completely confidential within legal guidelines. If needed, this could include referral to agencies providing AODA treatment.  Call (608) 245.2117 or dchastain[at] matcmadison [dot] edu (email) for additional information.

"Fear is the door, hesitation is the lock, you do have the key."

Some of us hate asking for help. Some have never been given the opportunity.  Some are too scared. We tend to ask for ideas from people we know and trust, or from people we respect even if they're not very close to us.  There are certainly some problems we don't mind discussing, while others we avoid admitting even to ourselves – let alone openly discussing with any one else. The information and ideas on this site are meant to give you enough knowledge, trust and respect to keep asking for help.