STEPPING IN GENTLY
You wondered, put the thought away but it
came back You examined it closer, may
be your argument went something like this
They don t get drunk often and maybe I d of
fend them it I questioned them about their
drinking, and besides drinking is what people
do in this town But on the other hand, they
blew an entire paycheck buying rounds at the
local tavern, an innocent morning game of golf
sent them staggering home, and they get de
pressed after a few drinks What should I do7
The NCAA estimates over 70' of college
students will drink on occasion and eight to ten
percent of those who drink will become alco
holies Alcohol, considered the nation s *1 drug
problem has paradoxically succeeded in gam
mg a socially accepted" status The media
portrays alcohol as a way of being popular, sex
ler, healthier and more sophisticated is it any
wonder that we could watch the slow destruc
tion of our friends without saying a word9 But
speaking our concerns about alcohol to a
friend can be a turning point for them Caring,
itself, is therapeutic
Basically, a drinker needs to examine his/her
reasons for drinking and what the conse
quences are of the behavior For instance, did
they drink to socialise or as a way to escape9
Did they hurt themselves or someone else
while intoxicated? Consider the reasons for
drinking rather than the amount of alcohol con
sumed
As a helper, you want to understand your
friend's view so be candid but careful of your
choice of words Ask your friend if they feel
they have a problem with alcohol instead of
telling them they have a problem Now that
you ve raised the subiect, your friend can re
spond with defensiveness, denial or agreement
it indeed they possess a problem
If defensiveness becomes the case, be sure
to make clear that it is the behavior you dislike
and not the person Don t let them intimidate
you —defensiveness is fear of dealing with the
problem Handle denial by stating how your
friends drinking affects you If your friend
agrees that drinking does create a problem, ex
plore the causes and the ways of dealing with
the problem by asking questions like What
causes you to drink9 ", How can you change
this habit9". and What can I do to help9
Here are the DON TS
^ Don t confront while your friend is in
toxicated
^ Don t make excuses for your friend's
drinking behavior
Don t accept irresponsible behavior
Don t nag or preach
Don't play amateur detective around
your friend
^ Don't supply the money for the alcohol
or drugs
Realize that your help in serious cases may
not aid your friend enough Don't try to be a
therapist There are numerous resources to
turn to on campus and in Lane County Re
mam supportive of your friend s efforts and
be prepared for times of stepping backwards.
Try not to organize activities that involve al
cohol Keep the lines of communication
open, frank but tactful and reflective of both
you and your friend's feelings Sometimes,
as a friend of someone who seems to be
harming themselves, we want to take the
problem instantly away, but for what we've
taken away, something needs to be given
back Alcohol is often a means of coping,
and other constructive coping mechanisms
need to replace the drinking This change is
not instantaneous, but the first step is taken
when one acknowledges that yes. there is a
problem For more information, see the refer
ence and resource list in this issue
MELANIE STEED
COCOON
Entrapped in dull cocoons we
hide,
of beige and gray so uniform;
’neath layers of the wraps we
build,
to insulate potential storms.
Perhaps the sun will kiss the
walls,
and sultry moonlight bathe at
night—
yet lest it come with
guarantee,
it’s easier to hide than
fight.
And so within our layered
walls,
we wait and question as we
lie,
the lucky few will brave the
venture,
free to be the butterfly.
—Both Ciaisor. 10S5.
IS THERE AN ADDICT IN THE HOUSE?
Susan, (her name changed tor the purpose ot anonym
ily). is an eighteen year old marguana smoker who admits
she is an addict Her first exposure to pot came when she
was six years old Like approximately one fifth of her
peers. Susan was exposed to the drug through her parents
She currently spends about $20 a week on her habit and
even sells it to her friends periodically When asked why
she hasn t taken any steps towards treatment, her simple
reply is I don’t want it Unfortunately the only way she
can picture herself getting help, is through mandatory
means She continues to smoke because of the good
feeling it gives her She states this country hasn t done
enough to crack down on casual users and addicts such as
herself While vague on what the solution to the problem
is. Susan believes that if there was one. it would be in
place right now
Many of us are probably like Susan or know someone
who is In the November 15th issue of the Oregon D.niy
Emerald, a poll conducted among U of O students showed
97-a ol students polled have experimented wnn aii.onoi
42 have smoked maniuana and 30 have tried rot aine
The qrowmg use ol alcohol and drugs on campus makes
education and awareness a vital necessity to everyone Is
the person who gets sloshed after a sporting event o'
takes an o. . asional hong hit alter lass an addict ‘ This ar
tide will provide some insightful information and guide
lines to help you hoi ome aware of the warning signs that
lead to anil are characteristic it addiction Hopefully you
will be able to help yourselt or someone you know with a
drug problem
The definition ot addiction can be quite ambiguous It
can be viewed from either a physical or psv hoiogical per
spe live However the most common belief i ombines
both aspei ts in assessing an individual s behavior Amaya
Gilespie trom the Qftn e ol Student Altairs specializes in
substance abuse behaviors Although she says adds tion
is difficult to completely define, there' are a ouple ot om
mon denominators found in adds ts These include a
leelinq ot never being i ompletety satisfic'd a toss ol
control or being a slave to a habit as round in many
dictionaries
Giles;-..- ab'il a progression line trom the Nat. n.r lush
lute at Din.; Abus.- tNIDAi that map . ttie . case 1 an es|.
victual towards addiction This analyse, can apply to both
alcohol and drug use and people can be at different
stages of tile line with different drugs all a! the same tune
Trie lust .tage t'.i ir.iy, e. that ' no use f • : >
dividual', the. is the time interval up to the onset of adoles
. ern e Adc.lesi enc e c. not only a bridge trom ctiildtio d to
becoming an adult tied also is i tune .. sited with
many risk taking behaviors like drug use pregnancy, eat
mg disorders and even suicide Gilespie states that he
. ause there is something missing in society to half) the
person cope with this contusing period of life often it
leads them to the next stage towards addiction, termed
‘experimental use The . nmmon i bar t terra, ot the.
stage n. that the person experiments with the drug and tie
comes aware ot how the drug will atfei t them Also they
will try different combinations ot drugs tor the intensity ot
their combined etle. ts Following this stage is thai a so
cial use He or she treguently uses the dru ; c f thee
Choice in many social settings and discovers various ways
to get tt'e drug either through triends or i onne. ticons a
friend may have The. may eventually lead to the stage ol
harmful involvement," which is where i per. in s drug ol
choice starts creating problems and.or strains in family re
lations i adenines friendships and loss ot motivation
towards future short and long term goals Adds tion tol
lows with a person s obsession to continually slock and
use the drug They see it a', a mechanism to avoid other
problems m their fife They may use it three tunes a day or
even once a week Tin? whole key to detecting behavior
that is addictive is to assess why that person i booses
to continue their drug involvement Do they need it to feel
comfortable in a sot oil setting? Are they going through
some kind of family turmoil’ Is d |ust an es< ape Irom reali
ly Once y.'u have determined "addiction" is present, the
next 1'i‘iiiin.in step is that ol intervention
I honestly believe it is virtually impossible for any ad
did to have a purposeful life says Tom Favreau. the
Community Relations and Marketing Director lor Sa. red
Heart s Adolescent Recovery Program (SHARP) He dales
thal addiction at teds a persons entire lifestyle This is
why 'intervention is so important Intervention involves
training the user s friends and family to approach the user
and deal with then denial Sin i ess is measured by actually
(jelling the person to seek treatment This may sound like
a simple process but it is not Amaya Gtlespie says that
one of the most difficult parts for a person choosing to In
tervene is tear of playing a holier than thou role
favreau implies the toughest part for the user in lining
confronted is having to own responsibility for then ego
They do not like being told they are ruining thou future
They often i.itionaii.’e then drug use by saying statements
like eveiyone else is doing them. I m a • usual user not
an add id u .it least I'm not a heroin addict Tom
i avreau is i tut narrower in his issessment of an adds t s
.dual.mi Tfie bottom line cti'esn t matter lor the addict
You re an addict little or big This is why Gilespie says in
tervention must tie a process where the addict is openly
and honestly shown concern by their friends family or
t>.>;h She suggests using a statement similar l this I
really care about you Id like to talk to you about your
habit tel me know when I i an talk with you She warns
against using threatening statements like You are _
or You have to_ She states it is important to re
member you t an t make a per son do anything How ever on
trie extreme end ot intervention I avreau says you may
have to appn>.it h the adds t and say l ve already
, ailed you have a tied you re going in Roth ...
agree you must believe what you re doing is night It we
make uses tor them we are enabling them to continue
their habit suggests Gilespie II you have questions
about intervening With 8 pefSOn'S iddlClIOH c the StU
dent Health Center and talk with a Peer Health Adviser,
he k out some material in the library, or < all a treatment
enter and ask tor what information they have available
Oui society advi> ales a mind your own business philos
ophy making intervention a sometimes painful task tor
both parties However, it is important to remember there
are resoun es out there that i an help
The United Stales has ’> ot the world s population, but
onsumes an estimated 60 r ot 111 * ■ t j. 11 drugs on tins plan
et EdUl ihun and awarenes . are only the beginning Right
now in some .liras around the United Slates strn ter (renal
lies lor hrsl time offenders are being consid
erod- automatic license suspension, an end to plea bar
gaming, loss ol state aid and benefits lor person s convict
ed of drug sales and automatic |ail sentences These pen
allies may be a step in the right dlret lion but are tar Irom
coming to terms with a permanent solution to the problem
BY MATTGRIPP
A BOO K...is a perfect evening companion It doesn't
snore or hog the blankets. It doesn t keep you up all night un
less you want it to and it's a great way to learn more about the
things you read today in the Well Now1
ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS by Janet Germger Woitit.'
Provides a thorough understanding of what it means to be a child of
an alcoholic and suggestions that meet their special needs
STRUGGLE FOR INTIMACY by Janet Germger Woititz
This book provides skills for achieving healthy relationships written
specifically for Adult Children but is also useful for children from
dysfunctional families Examines abandonment, vulnerability anger
bonding, guilt depression, sexuality and love
ALCOHOLISM by John Wallace
A book that integrates such diverse topics as knowing concepts in
spirituality, breakthrough developments in brain chemistry the wis
dom of Alcoholics Anonymous and the impact of alcoholism on tarn
ilies
RECOVERING: HOW TO GET AND STAY SOBER by l Ann Mueller
and Katherine Ketcham
An essential guide to treatment for alcoholics and their families
RELAX. RECOVER by Patricia Wuert/er and Lucinda May
A book of stress management for recovering people Stress and
stress management is part of everyone s life and gaining social and
personal skills is the theme of this book
WHY WEIGHT? A GUIDE TO ENDING COMPULSIVE EATING by
Geneen Roth
This is a workbook which guides the reader through discovering
what is at the core of compulsive eating and works on self esteem,
self worth, forgiveness and self respect
FEEDING THE EMPTY HEART: ADULT CHILDREN AND COM PUL
SIVE EATING by Barbara McFarland & Tyeis Baker Baumann
This book explores the link between abusive, dysfunction and/or al
coholic families and compulsive eating and obesity Assists the
reader in coming to grips with the emotional metaphor food plays in
their lives
t k
THE SEDUCTION OF ADVERTISING”
NOW AVAILABLE"1 read the acl in the Friday
Niw I Oregon Dai/i Emould NO HASSLE The
new party ball is hassle tree keg-style beer
lhai s portable and the preferred alternative tor
any party ice it down and take it anywhere
This ad equates having fun with having vol
umes of alcohol, and it perpetuates the stereotype
of college students being party animals, said Uni
versity Dean of Students Shirley Wilson The Urn
versity is especially concerned about ads that re
late fun with drinking because half of our under
graduate population is under the legal drinking
age
By the time most University students reach the
age of 21 they have seen an estimated 100,000 ads
promoting alcohol and drinking The ads sell far
more than products They sell images of success,
popularity, worth, love and sexuality Many ads
perpetuate stereotypes about women minorities
and college students
College students are bombarded with tempting
messages about drinking Drinking is the ultimate
reward after a strenuous workout or a stressful
day When you really get it all together Drinking
is the perfect social lubricator Making friends is
our business " Drinking will attract the opposite
sex Nothing attracts like Bombay gin.' and "The
toy ol six Drinking is fun Play that funky music.
Spuds boy And drinking is an excuse for any be
havior Tossed out of the best bars everywhere "
While the ads may seem harmless, silly or even
artistic, many college administrators and health
educators see the ads as adding up to a powerful
form of cultural conditioning They are also con
cerned that messages promoting low risk, healthy
lifestyles and their programs teaching decision
making skills are being superseded by the expen
sive marketing strategies of the alcohol industry
We stress responsibility and accountability
around drinking behaviors, especially when ac
tions lead to harmed relationships or regrettable
behavior such as unwanted sexual attention." said
Wilson Our messages contradict popular adver
tising which promises drinking will help you relax,
socialize and improve sexual prowess "
The college market alone represents annual
sales of S30 billion to alcohol producers and dis
tributors wh pend approximately V billion per
year on advert nq promotions and sport', spon
sorships SlicK ads that link drinking to health
happine and access ignore the adverse effects
alcohol ha-, an people s lives
According t 'he 1988 UO Drug Use Survey, one
third of the students reported that they have an trn
mediate family member who has had a problem
with alcohol or other drug abuse, and on fifth felt
that at some time in their lives they have had a
problem with alcohol or drugs Sixty percent said
their use of alcohol interfered with their ability to
think clearly and/or caused regrettable behavior
Seventy eight percent had their first drink before
the age of 18
A survey in the Sept 1989 issue of Nutrition Ac
tion Healthlettor indicates beer advertising mes
sages are coming across loud and clear to young
adults The survey, administered to 300 high
schoolers, showed 40 percent of the males listed
at least one beer commercial in their favorite five
ads The popularity of the ads may be one reason
that 35 percent of high school seniors nationally
are heavy binge drinkers, according to the newslet
ter
A growing number of health and civic organza
tions are calling for major changes in public policy
toward alcohol advertising Many advocate slick
counter advertising” campaigns in which one
commercial warning of the dangers of drinking
could be shown for every three or four ads that
promote drinkmq
Karlin Contain it a guatl wnlai thu itsua repiesenting Campus Organi
uhon loi a Substance f'ee Environment (COSAFEl
I WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION:
■ Counseling Center
686-3227
•Assessments and treatment for
alcohol and drug abuse
•individual psychotherapy
‘Group therapy for ACOA, Recov
ery Issues, Interpersonal relation
ships and coping with depression.
■ Student Health Center
686-4456
•Health education services in
clude: peer health advising, library
and browsing room, speakers for
group meetings.
Volunteer Organizations in
Lane County:
■ Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA)
683-6533/344-8556
■ Al Anon: for family and friends of alcoholics
741 2841
■ Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
342 4113
■ Narcotics Anonymous
341 6070
■ Nar Anon
683-4757/747 5243
■ Overeaters Anonymous
683-0110
■ Alcohol & Drug Help Line
1-800-621-1646
Editor: Beth Gaiser
Director of Health Education: Joanne Frank
Health Educators: Beth Gaiser, Raymond Boyle. Laurene Sheilds. Carmel
Crowe. Chrissy Bloome. Valerie Shannon. Annie
Dochnahl.
Eat out Design: Melissa Nelson. Beth Gaiser
IVer Health \dtisors: Dana Hiatt, Anna Dudoy. Heidi Reeder, Melanie
Steed, Ronnie Joll. Danekl Hennagm. Gmny Ehrlich.
Matt Gripp. Lynette Low Lori Novich
Production: Alice Cannon. Sandi Daller. Jim Finch
Ilu Well Now is a newsletter s|»nnsored l»> tin Stir
dent He.dill ( enter, and produced In the health ed
neat ion staff with the assistance of the Oregon |)aih
I merald Vdsertisiny. \ll articles are written h> stu
dents and (.Its for the health education program.
II sou have an> questions, suggestions or are inter
ested in contributing an article, please call Beth
(.aiser at <>*(> 445(1 10:4(1-I2:.M> MW .