The Nevada Sagebrush

Premier counseling

• For more information on the Premier Counseling Group, visit premiercounseling.net or call Robert Mills at 775-250-0080.

In the last two years, there’s been an enormous spike in the number of college students attending DUI and substance abuse classes at Premier Counseling Group, according to Robert Mills, a partner at the group.

“You’d come to class and it’d be like we’re doing modern lit out there,” Mills, a certified alcohol and drug counselor, said.

Students now make up approximately one-third to one-half of Premier’s clientele, which is why Mills and Steve Renner, his business partner and a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, have begun marketing their services directly to students at the University of Nevada, Reno.

“As (UNR) alumni we want to help these students,” Mills said. “They come in not knowing what’s going on. They’re shocked, and they’re in trouble.”

A drinking-related citation or arrest for minor in possession or driving under the influence can have serious consequences, including a minimum of 13 weeks of counseling. The requirement can take students by surprise.

“Students have an attitude of, ‘Because I’m a student, I’m bettering myself; the system should cut me a little slack,’” Mills said. “That’s not going to happen.”

Underage drinkers may also be surprised when they receive a harsher sentence for DUI than someone 21 or older would receive for the same crime. Eighteen-to-20 year olds are typically sentenced to higher fines, more counseling, and more court appearances, Mills said. On the extreme end, an offender may be required to pass a breathalyzer or drug test every day.

Frequently, students who have just begun counseling will minimize or excuse each others’ behavior, Mills said.

“They’re respectful and they’re not difficult, but they definitely have an attitude of, ‘I shouldn’t be here,’” Mills said.

Yet by the end of counseling, most eventually accept that their drinking had become a problem, he said. Students regularly acknowledge that the substance abuse classes were helpful, and that’s Mills’ goal.

Rachel Baez can be reached at rbaez@nevadasagebrush.com.

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