E-CHUG: A Tool for Alcohol Assessment and Education

Recent research conducted on the use of alcohol and other drugs by SMU students highlights a clear link between high-risk drinking and negative consequences. Faculty and staff members of SMU have opportunities to reach out to the student body and engage them in discussion about their drinking.
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The assessment e-CHUG (Electronic Check-Up to Go) provides a helpful tool to talk about these issues. The e-CHUG assessment is an interactive web survey that allows college students to enter information about their drinking patterns and receive feedback about their use of alcohol. It is free for any student or employee of the university and takes only about 5-10 minutes to complete. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the survey for their own use, to be better prepared to recommend and discuss it with students, and to think about creative ways to use e-CHUG in the classroom, lab, and/or during office visits with students.

Reasons to do an e-CHUG assessment and suggest its use to students include:

It provides personal assessment of one’s own level of drinking and tobacco use and allows for comparison with current SMU students.

1. It provides personal and confidential information about levels of risk based on consumption of alcohol.
2. E-Chug is a free service to any SMU student, faculty or staff member. It is accessible from any computer with internet access: https://interwork.sdsu.edu/echug2/?id=SMUMN&hfs=
3. The assessment takes only about 5-10 minutes to complete, is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counselor or administrator.
4. Information increases personal power to have more choices and healthier outcomes and lifestyles. E-Chug is a tool to improve personal quality of life.
5. E-Chug can be used as an educational tool for enhancing discussion and awareness related to alcohol and risk factors.

If there are specific concerns about a student’s alcohol use, contact Dr. Michael O’ Friel, so that he can facilitate additional support and assistance.

E-Chug can be accessed by going go to http://www.smumn.edu, clicking on “Current Students,” then on “Wellness Center,” followed by “Alcohol and Drug Education.” Scroll down the Alcohol and Drug page to the e-CHUG logo which will provide access to the survey. Further questions or concerns may be directed to Dr. O’Friel, AOD Education coordinator and counsel, at Ext. 6692. Dr. O’Friel’s office is located in the Wellness Center.