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Exploring Change and Healthy Options

The cornerstone of the alcohol and other drug treatment services at CAPS is the Exploring Change and Healthy Options (ECHO) program. The ECHO program provides students with the opportunity to explore their alcohol and/or other drug use in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Personal exploration helps students make informed decisions about their use of substances and increase their awareness of the role that alcohol and drugs may play in their lives. Students typically meet with CAPS staff for 2-3 meetings to complete the ECHO program.

The ECHO program includes three primary components:

  • Individual initial assessment and review of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use.
  • Personalized assessment and feedback of current AOD use patterns.
  • Group designed to assist the student in making educated decisions about future use of alcohol and illicit substances.

People may also participate in ECHO for one of the following reasons:

Self-Assessment: Those students who are interested in learning about how their alcohol and other drug use impacts their lives are encouraged to complete the ECHO program. Students are not required to stop using alcohol or other drugs; rather, they are asked to share honestly in a confidential and non-judgmental environment so that they can learn more about the role that alcohol and other drugs play in their lives.

Referral from Coordinator of Student Conduct: ECHO is offered as a program to students who have been found responsible for violating Montclair State University’s alcohol and other drug policy. It is used to capitalize on the “teachable moments” that present themselves when students are in violation of Montclair State University’s alcohol and other drug policy.

Take a Self Assessment