Although students with ADHD are admitted to college, they often struggle to succeed in academics and social situations. Students with ADHD experience higher instances of problem drinking and other disorders such as depression. A new research project created SUCCEEDS—Students Understanding College Choices: Encouraging and Executing Decisions for Success—specifically for college students with ADHD.
To develop SUCCEEDS, university mental health providers met with students to provide brief motivational interventions about their alcohol use, and focus groups between university staff were held to create the program. Ultimately, the program consists of four weekly sessions and one telephone session. In these sessions, the mental health providers address ADHD related impairments, alcohol use, substance-free activities, and identify any areas where students need assistance.
After implementing SUCCEEDS in two students as case studies, results showed that enrollment in SUCCEEDS decreased depression symptoms, lead to less frequent problem drinking and less impairment in academic in social areas. In both cases, the students decreased total weekly alcohol intake, which suggests that this program may be effective in reaching student with ADHD who are an at-risk population for problem drinking.
Take Away: SUCCEEDS, a program created to aid college students with ADHD, decreased total weekly drinking by students with ADHD and may be a useful tool to reach more students.