Q: My daughter recently went off to college, and she tells me that there is so much drinking happening on college campuses. I am not too surprised by this, but the way she describes it, it is out of control. Are people concerned about this, and is anything being done to address this?

A: Actually, you are not the only person concerned about this, and last year, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) published a report that outlined some evidence-based recommendations to address this issue.

Obviously, some colleges have looked at this issue and have implemented some of their ideas, while others may not be doing much in this regard. Some of their recommendations include teaching students about the risks of drinking, how to monitor and set limits on their drinking, and how to handle high risk situations; teaching students about the true rate of student alcohol use so that they learn that not everyone drinks and not everyone drinks excessively; developing campus-community partnerships that focus on reducing alcohol availability and including limits on alcohol advertising near the school; and providing routine screenings on the use of alcohol and using computer or Web-based interventions to reach more students. Some colleges have also set up substance-free dorms, where students who do not want to be surrounded by alcohol or other drugs can live.

Those are just a few ideas. A full copy of NIAAA's report, "College Drinking-Changing the Culture", can be found at: www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov.

Q: My son is almost 30 years old and is an alcoholic. I feel it's do or die at this point. He has no health insurance and I am looking anywhere I can to save him before it's too late. Please, any leads you could send me would be much appreciated. I am eight years in recovery myself and loving it.

A: First, congratulations to you on your recovery. I love to hear about how other people have learned to stop using alcohol or drugs, and have gotten their lives together and are enjoying life more now that they are in recovery. Recovery is not easy, but the rewards, as you know, are priceless.

Regarding your son, there are a number of detoxification programs in the state that offer inpatient detoxification for those who do not have health insurance as they receive funding the Department of Public Health to help those with no other means.

CAB has two programs, one in Danvers and one in Boston. The number in Danvers is 978-777-2121 and in Boston it's 617-247-1001. In addition, you can call a 24-hour helpline number that can give you the names of other such programs, which is 1-800-327-5050. While beds are sometimes not available, they often are, and if none are available, but people continue to make calls, they will eventually find a bed.

That being said, Massachusetts now has universal health care, and your son may be eligible to obtain health insurance by contacting the Division of Medical Assistance at http://mass.gov/masshealth, or by calling 1-800 841-2900.

I should also mention that detoxification is only the first step. In order to remain abstinent, a person should obtain and get involved in some ongoing aftercare after detoxification. Staff at the detoxification programs can work with your son to develop an aftercare plan that could include further residential treatment or other kinds of outpatient services. I would strongly encourage your son to get involved in treatment after he is detoxified.

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Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take the First Step, c/o The Eagle-Tribune, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; or send e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking...and You May Not Need to Quit."