University can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. For some students, drugs or alcohol become part of how they socialise or cope with stress. If that’s something you’re experiencing, this is about support and clear information — not judgement.
If you’re concerned about your, or a friends, drug or alcohol use, or simply want to talk things through, help is available. The Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) team hosts a weekly drop-in with We Are With You, an external drug, alcohol and mental health support charity. Every Thursday from 14:00–16:00 they are in the Student Support & Wellbeing Group Room in Eliot Extension. You can drop in without going through Reception, and what you share is confidential and not passed back to the University.
The University does not condone drug use on campus and will follow up if students are found with drugs. However, the priority is support and making sure you’re directed to the right help. If you are using substances, understanding the risks is important. Trusted sources such as FRANK provide honest information to help you make informed decisions. Drug and alcohol use can have serious physical, mental and legal consequences, and using drugs on campus can put you and others at risk.
If your use has increased, feels harder to control, or you’re relying on substances to cope, you don’t need to wait for things to get worse before speaking to someone. You don’t have to label yourself or reach a crisis point to ask for help.
University life brings pressure in many forms. If drugs or alcohol have become part of your coping, you deserve support without shame. Reaching out isn’t about getting into trouble — it’s about looking after yourself.