Some basic steps guide this discussion:
- Choose a time and a place when the individual is most receptive. This includes when the individual is not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It should be in a private setting
- Tell the person why you are talking with him or her. This is a statement of concern and caring. Let the person know how you feel about him or her overall and that you care.
- Describe the behavior you have seen; be specific as to the time and place and the behavior you saw, using specific items from the checklist (physical, emotional, cognitive and social.)
- Express your concern with the behavior(s). What consequences, if any, will occur if it continues?
- Outline what you would like to see done. What change in behavior would you like to see?
During this discussion, do not expect an immediate admission and a genuine resolution to change. If such a statement is voiced, it may be simply to end the conversation. If an individual is becoming involved in a problematic way, denial will be high.
Also, do not assume that you make an immediate difference. Many times, it takes a variety of people responding to the problematic behavior of others on a continuous, repetitive basis. Most of the time, those intervening lay the foundation for a later person to have the ultimate impact.
Think about what you want as a result. Ultimately, this is the halting of the problematic behavior of concern, the reduction of the harmful involvement with alcohol or other drugs.
One additional way in which the faculty member can be involved is to empower other people to intervene. A faculty member who is concerned does not need to make the actual contact. The concern can be expressed through another person. The faculty member may realize that she or he may not be the best person to talk with the student of concern; in this case, someone else may be contacted to intervene with this student.
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