Events & Topics
Self Over Substances (SOS) is a program of the Counseling and Psychological Service (CAPS) and provides primary and secondary substance abuse prevention to eligible University of Montana students and their eligible spouses/partners.
SOS services include;
- identification of students in need of assistance (alcohol and other drug abuse,
- recovery from substance dependencies, and those affected by others’ AOD use),
- professional assessment,
- referral,
- individual and group counseling,
- crisis intervention,
- peer education,
- primary prevention and support groups,
- educational presentations,
- and resource dissemination.
The key to SOS service delivery are student interns who provide primary psycho-educational seminars and groups and refer identified students at risk for assessment. In conjunction with CAPS, it shares the responsibility of assuring student health and well being, specifically when substance abuse is involved. SOS also strives to coordinate its services with various professionals and organizations on and off campus to increase cooperation and resource sharing in order to challenge the cultural acceptance of substance abuse on campus and in the Missoula area.
As one of many programs in the Division of Student Affairs, its mission is to foster student learning and personal development, create a healthy and diverse community, and enrich student life.
In pursuing this mission, SOS is guided by the following principles:
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Each person is responsible for his or her choices and actions. SOS recognizes the right of adults of legal age to make the choice to drink responsibly or to abstain. It provides information and services to underage adults to help them make informed choices, which heighten personal and civic responsibility when alcohol and other drugs are available for consumption.
- Individual rights must be protected while preserving the rights of others. Those who violate the rights of others must be held accountable for their actions. At times SOS is a consequence for those who violate the Student Conduct Code or break the law. SOS will report compliance in a timely manner to the referral sources that hold these people accountable in following through with their referral to complete the program.
- The educational mission of the University is preeminent. Student retention is central to the SOS mission. When alcohol and other drug abuse undermine a student’s ability to stay in school, SOS provides intervention, counseling, assessment and referral. It is also committed to educating and training students in substance abuse prevention and treatment. Students receive professional training and supervision and can earn academic credits through their respective departments.
- Learning occurs inside and outside the classroom. Many of the students referred to SOS have violated the student conduct code or the law. SOS programs are designed to actively engage them in a learning process based on their life experiences and to assist them with the development of their personal values in relation to standards of justice, honesty, integrity, civility, freedom, dignity and responsible citizenship