If you are a teacher or university professional, it’s important to know how to refer a student to rehab when they need it. Keep reading to learn more about the referral process, different types of addiction treatment, and how to find effective treatment that meets your student’s needs.

The Role of Teachers and Universities in Addiction Treatment

Teachers and university staff can be crucial in assisting students with their adjustment to and success in a school or university. They often share a close connection with students or serve as role models, making them a valuable resource students can turn to for support when facing difficulties and challenges, including substance misuse.

Schools may rely on various strategies to help prevent high-risk substance use and other risky behaviors. Some of the most effective behaviors and strategies include:

• Connecting students with mental health and substance use services at universities.¹
• Conducting classroom presentations designed to highlight school policies on drugs and alcohol, the effect of drugs and alcohol on health, substance use disorders in the family, and other issues.²
• Supporting students in recovery and students with family members struggling with addiction and educating parents and guardians about substance use and prevention.³
• Creating safe and supportive environments where students can feel comfortable going to teachers, guidance counselors, school social workers, and other professionals for advice and assistance.¹
• Establishing peer education and leadership programs that train students to serve as peer educators and role models, to leverage peer influence to promote healthy behaviors and discourage substance use.⁴
• Implementing activities such as student-led clubs and other extracurricular activities that create positive, safe outlets for all students.¹
• Integrating student services with existing practices and community youth agencies.²
• Offering early identification and support that involves screening for risk factors, and providing counseling or referral services for students who display early signs of substance use or related issues.²
• Establishing clear school policies regarding substance use, including consequences for violations, and consistently enforcing them to create a deterrent effect.⁵

Are Teachers Required to Report Their Students’ Addiction?

As a teacher, you are aware that you are a mandated reporter, or someone who is required by law to report child or elder abuse and neglect.⁶ Teachers, principals, and other school personnel, like school social workers and counselors, are mandated reporters for children and adolescents, generally referring to those under 18 in most jurisdictions.⁶

This means that they are required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, as well as conditions that would end up causing harm to the child, such as unsafe living environments.^6,7,8 However, alcohol and drug misuse may not be reportable.⁸

If you believe that a student is engaging in substance use, the best course of action may be to have a private conversation with them and make a referral to treatment.⁸

How Does the Referral Process Work With American Addiction Centers?

If you’d like to refer a student to American Addiction Centers (AAC) rehab, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Call us directly at to speak to one of our knowledgeable admissions navigators. We are available 24/7 to help you understand the entire treatment process, answer any questions you may have, listen to your concerns, and provide information about our treatment programs.
2. Fill out our online form, and one of our admissions navigators can call, text, or email you to discuss your student’s situation and their treatment needs. There is no obligation that your student enter treatment with us.

We will respect your privacy and keep any information you share with us completely secure. No one will share, use, or have access to this information without your permission.

All contact is confidential, and you do not need to provide any identifying information about yourself or the student. We are here for you any time or day or night to help make this process as smooth as possible. You can learn more about referring here.

Types of Addiction Treatment We Offer

American Addiction Centers offers various types of addiction treatment, with a focus on evidence-based approaches. Treatment can take place in different settings, including:

• Medical detoxification, which refers to a medically supervised intervention that can involve medication as well as other forms of support to help people safely and comfortably undergo substance withdrawal.⁹
• Inpatient or residential treatment, meaning that a person lives onsite at a rehab facility, receives 24/7 care, monitoring, and support, and participates in various forms of treatment and therapy.⁹
• Outpatient rehab, which means that people live at home but travel to a treatment facility on a set schedule to receive therapy and treatment. People can continue to work or attend school, as treatment schedules are flexible and can involve weekends or evenings.⁹
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders, meaning addiction and another mental health condition, like depression.¹⁰ These conditions may first appear during the teen or college years, and should be identified and treated promptly and simultaneously for optimal outcomes.¹⁰
• Sober living, which refers to supportive, substance-free residences where people can readjust to their day-to-day lives after treatment and continue work and school.⁹

Does AAC Treat Children With Addiction?

American Addiction Centers’ treatment programs are restricted to those 18 years of age and older. You can find pediatric addiction treatment in various ways, such as consulting local youth and family organizations or asking your school social worker or guidance counselor for advice and referral information to rehabs in your area.² If you want to learn more about what to expect when getting a child into rehab, you can also view the What to Expect section of our rehab admissions process page.

Why Choose American Addiction Centers?

American Addiction Centers is an industry leader with decades of experience in addiction treatment and rehabs located across the nation. Our extensive history and expertise allow us to provide comprehensive and effective care that is tailored to each person’s specific needs.

To learn more about our facilities and services, view our treatment centers. At AAC, we are deeply committed to delivering personalized, evidence-based care that incorporates a variety of treatment modalities, including addiction treatment medications and behavioral therapies.

Our goal is to equip people with the skills they’ll need for lasting recovery, and we ensure that our participants receive consistent support throughout the recovery process. We also stand behind our 90-day promise, which means that if someone experiences a relapse, they are welcome to return for an additional 30 days of treatment at no cost.

Call us at to speak with a caring admissions navigator about our treatment options, learn more about the admissions process, and verify your insurance. We work with many health insurance providers to make treatment accessible and affordable for those seeking help.

Referring a student to rehab can help them begin the journey toward transforming their life and may even be life-saving. We’re here to support you and your student every step of the way.