USC is committed to promoting a healthy, safe, and drug-free campus community. This information and resource hub provides important details about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, USC policies, confidential self-assessment tools, and support resources for Trojan faculty and staff.
Drug-Free and Smoke Free Policies
USC’s Drug-Free and Smoke-Free Policies outline the university’s expectations regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, applicable laws, standards of conduct, available resources, and disciplinary procedures. Understanding the policies is one step in supporting a healthy and safe community. Learning more about yourself, how to support your colleagues, family, and friends as well as how to access available resources, can help you take the next step.
Self-Assessments
Not sure where to start? Here brief, confidential, and evidence-based self-assessments to help you explore your relationship with alcohol and substance use and identify whether you may need some support or resources.
Even though these assessments can help identify possible concerns and the need for professional support, they do not replace a medical diagnosis or professional care. If you think a diagnosis would be helpful for you or your loved ones, seek out the care of a qualified medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or other licensed professional. USC WorkWell Center can help you navigate how to access your health plans for support.
CAGE-AID
The CAGE-AID questionnaire is a quick, four-question assessment that is widely used by substance use experts to determine whether your alcohol and/or substance usage indicates the need for professional support.
Take the CAGE-AID self-assessment.
AUDIT
The AUDIT is a brief, 10-question self-assessment developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help you reflect on your alcohol use and better understand your drinking patterns.
Take the AUDIT self-assessment.
If you have questions or concerns at any point, before or after completing a self‑assessment, the WorkWell Center is here to support you. Our team provides confidential counseling, guidance, and assistance connecting you with additional campus and community resources.
Educational Videos
The following videos may help enhance your understanding of the impact of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, as well as important ways that you can help support a drug-free workplace environment.
Drugs and Alcohol at Work
This 25 minute interactive course helps faculty and staff understand the risks of drug and alcohol use in the workplace. It covers commonly abused substances, addiction, workplace policies and consequences, and resources for employees.
Drugs and Alcohol at Work Online Course
Drug Free Workplace
This 24-minute course helps employees, particularly managers and supervisors, respond to substance use concerns in the workplace. It covers the Drug Free Workplace Act, signs of substance misuse and addiction, and appropriate workplace responses.
Resources
Whether you want to support yourself or someone you care about, hope to learn more about the topic, or would like to explore healthier alternatives, a wide range of resources are available. These include education, counseling, treatment options, recovery support, and additional services designed to meet a variety of needs. There are also links to meaningful ways to get involved and contribute to a healthier community.
USC WorkWell Center
The USC WorkWell Center empowers USC faculty and staff to thrive in mind, body, and spirit so that our people are engaged, productive, and happy. WorkWell provides programs and resources for USC benefits-eligible employees that help them thrive in all areas of work and life wellness. We do this through no-cost, confidential counseling, coaching, consultations, critical incident management, and health and wellness promotion and education programs. Call us at (213) 821-0800 or email workwell@usc.edu to get support.
RULA
USC partners with Rula to offer employees and their families easy access to personalized mental health support for only a $10 co-pay per session. Through Rula, you can connect with over 21,000 licensed providers for virtual or in-person therapy and psychiatry. The service is designed to be affordable, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs, with a focus on quality care and a simple process to find the right provider. To get started, visit rula.com/usc-employees or call (323) 205-7088.
USC Psychology Services Center
The USC Dornsife Psychology Services Center (PSC) is committed to providing cutting-edge, empirically supported therapy and assessment to the community and offers counseling for a reduced rate as well as very low cost support groups. To get started visit https://dornsife.usc.edu/usc-psc/ or call (213) 740-1600.
USC Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Los Angeles County is home to over 2,000 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings per week, many of them are virtual on Zoom. USC also provides a home to 12-step groups. Meetings provide a solution to anyone who is curious, baffled, desperate, or hopeless regarding their drinking. Meetings are open to the public but provide an anonymous environment. For meetings at UPC, days and times can be found at USC Office of Religious and Spiritual Life list of USC Campus Meetings.
USC Occupational Therapy
USC Occupational Therapy provides Lifestyle Redesign for Smoking Cessation program helps employees through the process of quitting through identifying triggers, finding healthy substitutions, and creating health-promoting habits and routines. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please call the OT Faculty Practice at (323) 442-3340 or email otfp@med.usc.edu.
USC Pharmacies
USC Pharmacies offers one-on- one consultations with a clinical pharmacist to discuss individualized smoking cessation plans, provide and discuss nicotine replacement therapy medications (prescription or nonprescription), and provide recommendations for coping with withdrawal symptoms.
USC PPO and USC Trojan Care EPO
USC PPO and USC Trojan Care EPO: Provides tobacco cessation programs and medications based on your health plan benefits. To learn more about your specific benefits, click the link to find your plan. Also, check out the various resources for tobacco cessation resources and education at USC.
USC Premier Care
USC Premier Care offers a no cost Tobacco Cessation Program for all faculty and staff (on all health plans) who want to take steps toward a healthier, nicotine-free life.
Local and National Resources
LA County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control: Provides substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services throughout Los Angeles County. Services include outpatient treatment, residential treatment, withdrawal management (detox), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and recovery support programs.
The Substance Abuse Service Helpline (SASH): Los Angeles County offers substance-use treatment services for youth and adults, many of which are free for people who are eligible for Medi-Cal, My Health LA, or other county programs. You can get started by calling the Substance Abuse Service Helpline, which is available 24/7, or by using an online directory to find providers near them. Services include outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs, residential treatment, detox (withdrawal management), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and recovery support services.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Provides information, newcomer resources, a self‑assessment, and access to more than 2,000 AA meetings. Meetings are both in‑person and online through the Los Angeles Central Office. Alcoholics Anonymous supports individuals seeking recovery from alcoholism through shared experience and connection. Contact: English (323) 936‑4343; en español (323) 750‑2039.
Al-Anon Los Angeles: Al-Anon Family Groups provides support for families and friends who have been affected by someone else’s drinking or substance use. For the Greater Los Angeles area, contact them at (818) 547-3027.
Cocaine Anonymous (CA4LA): Provides free, peer‑support for people seeking recovery from cocaine and other mind‑altering substances. The Los Angeles chapter offers meetings, events, and resources to help individuals build connection and support in their recovery journey. Contact: (888) 714‑8341.
Marijuana Anonymous: Provides free, peer‑led support for people working to overcome marijuana or cannabis addiction, using the proven 12‑Step model from Alcoholics Anonymous. Members support one another through shared experiences, sponsorship, and community connection. Contact Information: (800) 766-6779 and Support@MA12.org.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Provides recovery meetings, a helpline, and resources to support individuals seeking a life free from drug use. The Southern California Region of Narcotics Anonymous focuses on carrying the message to those still struggling. Contact: English (800) 863‑2962; en español (888) 622‑4692.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – San Fernando Valley (NCADD-SFV): Provides affordable treatment, prevention, education, and support services for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug addiction. Services include outpatient treatment, prevention programs, community education, and recovery resources to help individuals achieve healthier lives. Contact Information: (818) 997-0414.
Kick It California: Provides a free program for Californians who want to quit tobacco and nicotine, including cigarettes, vaping, and smokeless tobacco. It provides personalized coaching by phone, chat, text-message, customized quit plans, self-help resources, and a mobile app to help stay on track.
LA County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program: Provides tobacco prevention and education resources, promotes smoke-free environments, and connects individuals to quit smoking and vaping resources.
LA Quits: Provides free resources and support to help Los Angeles County residents quit smoking, vaping, and other tobacco or nicotine products. Also links individuals to quit smoking and educational resources.
Smokefree.gov: Provides resources including personalized quit plans, text message support, the quitSTART mobile app, information about nicotine replacement therapy, and practical tips to manage cravings, triggers, and setbacks.
Educational Materials
Top Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Addiction: Provides a quick and easy to read outline that provides key facts to help reduce misconceptions related to addiction.
CDC – Alcohol Use and Your Health: Provides information about how alcohol affects physical and mental health, the risks associated with excessive drinking, and ways to reduce alcohol-related harm.The website includes information on binge drinking, heavy drinking, drinking guidelines, and resources to help individuals make informed decisions about alcohol use.
CDC – Cannabis Health Effects: Provides clear, research‑based information about how cannabis use can affect your health—including impacts on brain function, heart health, mental well‑being, driving, and more.
CDC – Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder: Provides information about cannabis use disorder (CUD), including common signs that cannabis use may become difficult to control and evidence based information to help individuals understand patterns of cannabis use. It also explains factors that can increase your risk of developing CUD.
CDC – Drinking Alcohol While Using Other Drugs Can Be Deadly: Explores the risks of drinking alcohol while using other substances, including prescription medications, opioids, and benzodiazepines. It also includes information on harm reduction and strategies for making safer choices related to alcohol and drug use.
National Recovery Month: Offers resources to help celebrate recovery, including key messages, graphics, webinars, and other tools for raising awareness throughout the month of September.
NIAAA: Rethinking Drinking Alcohol & Your Health: Offers practical tools and evidence-based information to help individuals understand their drinking habits and make healthier choices. Resources include information on standard drink sizes, drinking limits, alcohol-related health risks, and strategies for reducing alcohol consumption.
Research by Substance: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website provides scientific, evidence-based profiles on various substances, including opioids, stimulants, cannabis, prescription medications, psychedelics, and synthetics.
SAMHSA – Know the Effects, Risks and Side Effects of Marijuana: Provides evidenced-based information about the potential health and safety risks associated with marijuana use. The site also provides educational resources and information about where to seek help related marijuana.
The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Information Resource Hub is a collaborative effort of USC Student Health Office of Health Promotion Strategy and USC Healthy Campus Mental Health Subcommittee. Developed to support USC’s commitment to a healthy, safe, and drug-free community, the hub brings together information on university policies, confidential self-assessments, educational resources, counseling and treatment options, recovery support, and resources for healthier, substance-free choices.
Please reach out for more information or support by calling USC WorkWell Center at 213-821-0800 or emailing workwell@usc.edu. Let’s Fight On…Together!