SEY ON THE ROCKS
Hy /awn Fulian
A common myth in society is that
alcohol consumption can increase
and/or enhance our sexual arousal
and response. The fact is, alcohol is a depres
sant and actually decreases a person's ability
to function sexually. Though there is a physi
ological reduction in sexual response, for
some people, alcohol actu- _
another individual(s), while under the influ
ence of alcohol, we are putting ourselves in a
situation where we are in a greater risk of
contracting a sexually transmitted disease
(STD). The majority of college undergradu
ates fall into the age range where STDs are
the most prevalent in our society. According
to "STDs, a guide to sexually transmitted
diseases," people in the age range of 15-25
are the most commonly infected with STDs
ally reduces their inhibi
tions about sex. That is,
some people feel that it is
easier to deal with sexual
situations while under the
influence of alcohol,
because the alcohol can
falsely mask the individu
al's feelings of uneasiness
and nervousness.
This is a common prac
tice on university campus
es, where alcohol is often
used as a means of socializ
The most common
STDs on college cam
puses are chlamydia,
genital herpes and geni
tal wart:-. In some cases,
STDs have no external
symptoms, while in oth
ers, the individual may
have symptoms hut not
perceive them as any
thing to worry about
So, often there is no w ay
! for an individual to tell
! whether or not his or
her partner is infected
ing with friends and a courage-builder to
meet others of the opposite sex. Unfortunate
ly, along with an increase in courage, there is
a strong decrease of our ability to make sen
sible and responsible choices. Thus, when we
are intoxicated we might take nsks that in
other sober situations we would not. This
increase in risk-taking applies directly to our
sexual practices. Sexual risks might include
unhealthy practices such as unprotected
(without a condom) intercourse, multiple
partners and having intercourse with people
wehavejust met.
When engaging in sexual activity with
r
Because alcohol induces our ability1 to
make self-protective decisions when engag
ing in sexual activity, for your own (personal
well-being, it is not wise to mix the two. It is
also a g«xKl practice to be aware of the symp
toms of STDs and if you personally ever
acquire any of these symptoms, you should
see a physician immediately. Many STDs are
treatable with prescription medication. Do
not try to treat it yourself because self-treat
ment den's not work. It merely allows the dis
ease to live longer in your body Information
on STDs and their symptoms are available to
all students in the Student Health Center.
ALCOHOL ceittinued from page 1
are a number of genetic predispositions and
risk factors that appear to be related such a*
depressed brain neurotransmitters (e.g. sero
tonin, endorphines and enkephalins) and
metabolic abnormalities that produce betacar
bolines and THIQs.
The alcoholic's liver processes alcohol into a
highly addictive end-product called TH1Q
which is as addictive as heroin A pre-alcoholic
gradually approaches a threshold where addic
tion manifests. At this point, choice is no longer
feasible. Sometimes one beer is consumed with
out any problem. Other times, one beer
becomes eight pitchers, absenteeism, loss of
interest in hobbies, talents and non-drinking
friends. At this point, rehabilitation and coun
seling are needed -to team how to live free of
alcohol permanently.
Over the course of time, alcohol wreaks
havoc on the body. It is unrealistic to assume
everyone is concerned about their health
enough to quit drinking for the sake of the
future Moderate use of alcohol is reasonable,
however While the present is immediately
gratifying and a lot of fun, at some point a
heavy drinker is going to run into trouble
Excessive drinking robs the body of vitamins
and retards protein synthesis and metabolism
of fat and protein. In practical terms, this means
a shorter life expectancy, obesity and high sus
ceptibility to illnesses. Cirrhosis or death of
liver celts is a fatal disease epidemic among
longterm heavy drinkers.
So - alcohol, friends, music, weekend and
moderation really do all fit together. That is, of
one chooses to include drinking in their
lifestyle. Guidelines for moderate use of alcohol
include limiting drinks to one per hour, having
a few glasses of water, drinking beer or wines
which have a lower alcohol content per ounce
and holding off peer pressure to dnnk more
than is comfortable for you. Tell them "My
alcohol dehydrogenase is calling for a time
out " (That should shut 'em up for awhile)
Most importantly - be careful. You've only got
one life Make it the best you can and have fun!
A BOOK is a treasure chest of ideas that one can explore without leaving the house.
ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS, by Janet Geringer-WoitiU. There are 28
million adult children of alcoholics in the U.S. This book describes some of the
problems and characteristics of ACoA's and what can be done
THE ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY, by Craig Nakken Alcoholics and drug
addicts are not the only victims of addiction There are countless compulsive
eaters, compulsive gamblers, sex addicts, workaholics and compulsive
spenders who also get high Nakken looks at the fundamental question of
addiction.
KICKING THE COFFEE HABIT by Charles F. Wetherall This book examines
coffee addiction and the health problems associated with both coffee and
caffeine It provides a comprehensive list of food, beverages and medications
that contain caffeine Cessation advice is given
STAYING SOBER by Terence T Corski and Merlene Miller This is an
excellent book for helping addicts, co dependents and adult children of
alcoholics to understand the relapse dynamics that have affected their lives
■III VtTlSM I M1"!!' 1 1 I' ^■'WrT-’TL’T.'llJ,! M J. I... -
Children of Alcoholics
By Kim Howani
As a child in your family, did
you feel that if you could just find
the right way to behave then every
thing would be better between you
and your parents? Children of alco
holics often have a difficult time
breaking free from feelings they
learned as youngsters, including
abandonment, anger, guilt, shame
and low self-esteem because of their
family's dysfunctional behavior.
Entering college and beginning
adulthood offers many of us oppor
tunities to reevaluate our own atti
tudes about ourselves, the families
we come from and our social sur
roundings For the children of alco
holics, it may be a struggling time
due to walls of denial and defen
siveness that helped a child of an
alcoholic survive growing up Many
children of alcoholics believe that
they are somehow to blame for their
parent's drinking problems and
have learned in childhood to protect
themselves by lying, suppressing
their feelings and withdrawing
from close relationships
A dysfunctional family system
involves relationships with little
intimacy, inconsistent parenting,
child-parent role reversals and chil
dren who struggle through their
developmental stages because their
basic needs may not have met by a
parent under the influence. In these
unbalanced systems, communica
tion tends to be indirect and confus
ing and emotions are denied,
controlled or not expressed consis
tently Children of alcoholics tend to
tkink in terms of gixni or bad, black
or white Behavior may often be
unpredictable Feelings of guilt and
anger are often high while self
esteem and trust are low 50 percent
of adult children of alcoholics marry
problem drinkers because children
of alcoholics are familiar with the
rules and roles of living with a
chemically dependent person Thus,
they continue the family drama of
dysfunction According to the
American College Health Associa
tion, 10 percent of adult children of
alcoholics develop patterns of com
pulsive behavior as adults, includ
ing alcoholism, drug abuse and
overeating
If you can identify with some of
the things in this article, there are
steps you can take to help the prob
lem The first thing to do is realize
that you are not alone - approxi
mately 12-15 percent of all college
students come from an alcohol
abusing background
The next step is to realize it is not
your fault and you an* not to blame
for your parent's drinking problem
which may have left you devaluing
yourself. It's important to remember
that you are a survivor; you have
already developed important skills
in your family that can help you to
better your life in the future Anoth
er important step is to tell someone
about the problem because the
dynamics of alcoholism and the
problems associated with it are
important to learn and understand
as well as to learn about your own
feelings
Many therapists recommend par
ticipating in a self-help program
such as Al-Anon, Adult Children of
Alcoholics or Children of Alco
holics If you try therapy, work may
include dietary changes, stress
reduction techniques, exercise and
visualization/affirmation exercises
By making use of the network of
special support groups and counsel
ing services, children of alcoholics
can develop healthy self-esteems
(free of guilt, fear and blame) and
learn to trust themselves You may
have grown up unheard, unloved or
unnurtured, but now is the time to
reevaluate yourself - Stirling now
It's never too late to begin to listen,
love and nurture ourselves for a
happier, healthier life
Questioning alcohol and tobacco advertising
By Jilt Ritter
Have you realized how many alcohol and
tobacco advertisements you see every day?
They're everywhere, from billboards to T.V.
There's no escaping them. Our attitudes
about tobacco and alcohol are influenced by
the industry's very successful marketing
efforts. But lately, parents and health experts
have attacked these industries because of the
effects that the ads are having, particularly
on the children. In one study, children of dif
ferent ages were asked If they recognized the
character in each of two pictures. One pic
ture was of Old Camel Joe, Camel cigarette's
mascot, and the other was of the Marlboro
Man. The results were amazing:
AGE OLD CAMEL JOE MARLBORO MAN
3 30.4% 86.1%
4 41.8% 91%
5 73.3% 96.7%
6 913% 100%
Whether or npt recognition of these two
symbols leads children to start smoking or
not is questionable but the results are inter
esting.
These advertisements not only for
cigarettes but also for alcohol are often
shown as a way to lead sexier lives, be more
socially sophisticated and even as a way to
better health. The amount that these indus
tries spend on advertising is amazing. The
beer industry alone spends over $100 million
on advertising (Schlaadt, 1990). The cigarette
industry each day k>ses 2,000 smoking
Americans who stop smoking and 1,100
smokers who die, leaving a deficit of about
3,000 people that is made up for by advertis
ing (Castro, 1990).
You may also have noticed the new
"thing" in advertisings especially with alco
hol. They have now come up with slogans
such as "know when to say when" and
"think when you drink." The first campaign
slogan mentioned was put out by Anheuser
Busch Co. and the second one was from the
Philip Morris Miller Brewing Co. Many peo
ple believe that these responsible drinking
ads aren't doing any good because they are
overw helmed by other ads that portray the
fun and good times of chemical use.
Both the tobacco and alcohol industries
have done a great job at influencing con
sumers thmugh their advertising campaigns,
but the public is becoming aware of their
marketing effects, especially on the younger
population. The industries then came out
with the responsible drinking ads, which 1
think are good ads and may catch the atten
tion of a few people, but do the industries
really care about the lives of the smoking
and beer drinking populations or are they
just trying to avoid the heat of the opposition
for awhile? That's the real question.
KB©fe GGd© OoafcBG
' . ft—g v
Ip,. Here are a few programs
to check out if you're trying
■ to kick the smoking habit.
• American Cancer Society -
Their FreshStart is a four-week program with
essential information and strategies
in quit smoking, i^aii tor
the on-campus program or, for
more information, call the Amer
ican Cancer Society at 484-2211.
ciation - They have different
programs and materials
available to help quit smok
ing. Call (503) 224-5145 or 1
800-545-5864.
• NICODERM or Nicotine
Gum - These programs are
especially gtxxl for people
who have problems with
nicotine withdrawal. Talk to
your physician for further
details.
f\
• smokers Anonymous -
This program follows a 12-step program for
people who have found that they are power
less over nicotine. Call 688-0672 or 689-9959
^orjnon* informahor^^
Smoking from the sidelines
uy iinrru
FACT OR FICTION:
Sidestream smoke (smoke from the
burning end of a cigarette) is worse for
you than mainstream smoke (smoke
directly inhaled into the lungs).
There is a lot of debate over this issue;
and the public concern about how our
health is affected by passive smoking
continues to grow In recent years, hotels,
motels and car rental agencies have
;. offered more non-smoking rooms and
vemues; dnu
N some airlines
• have banned
smoking on all
flights. In addi
non, as least 41
states limit or restrict
smoking in public
places; and laws that
address smoking in
the workplace have
been enacted in at least
22 states.
rtmoKe irom cigarettes
contains over 3,000 chemicals.
Many of these are poisons and hav e been
shown to have adverse health effects on
humans. Chemicals included in the
smoke are formaldehyde, ammonia,
hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxide, car
con monoxide anu atlas.
Sidestream smoke does contain higher
concentrations of many of the chemicals
than does mainstream smoke. Although
the second-hand smoke is considerably
diluted in the large volume of air in a
room, a passive smoker can inhale
enough smoke to equal one to ten
cigarettes a day depending on the
amount of exposure. Findings of an
American Cancer Society study show
that non-smokers exposed to 20 or more
cigarettes a day at home had twice the
risk of developing lung cancer.
The following is list of some health
effects that have been found to be linked
to second-hand smoke:
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased risk of lung cancer
• Increased risk of stillbirths and mis
carriages in pregnant women
• Twice the rate of respiratory illness
in children who are exposed to smoke at
home
• Increased rate of pneumonia and
chronic bronchitis during the first two
years of life
Smoking, passive or mainstream, is
bad for your health so, encourage those
smokers you know to quit, for the bene
fit of their health and yours.
Symptoms leading
to relapse
*■ ■ ■ -
*
i Mill nntnla nl vM
py Mmair ncyrrwr
Relapse, a concept that is often
overlooked by those who are strug
gling with addictions, should not
only be acknowledged by addicts
but considered to be a serious threat
to their recovery. When a person
goes into recovery, it is important to
realize that the majority of addicts
do not successfully stay in recovery
their first attempt at being sober.
Relapse is the result of a subtle
process and is somewhat pre
dictable when a person knows the
signs to be aware of. Relapse does
not simply jump out at you on your
way to the bathroom in the morn
ing to brush your teeth. The process
of relapse can, to some degree, be
identified by both the addict and
close family and friends if they are
all informed of what to watch out
for.
This list identifies some symp
toms that can lead to relapse and,
caught early enough, the relapse
can often be prevented.
1. EXHAUSTION - Allowing yourseH to
become ovsrty Wad or In poor health Feed
ing wel hetpe to think welt
2. OMMOIMSTY - Utile Mas and docatui
with taAow workers. Wands and tsmify.
These can lead to big »e* to yourwMl This ii
rationalizing / a sura way torelapse
3. IMUTIINCC - Whan this taWmg rises
If s bme to look at what is realty upsetting
you.
4 AftOUMCNTATtVENKSS - Arguing
i • nnd » always be
Hgta.
5 OtPMttlON - Unreason
able and unaccountable despair
needs to be dead with and talked
about
6. FKUETNATION - Thing* may
not always 90 your way
7 MLF-mV - "Why do things
always happen 10 me?’
8 COCKINESS - No longer hav
ing (ear ol the addiction Thawil
wear down detente*, against your
9 COMPLACENCY - When disci
phnea are no longer a pad ol daily Ida
and laar ol ralapse * nonexistent
Oonl let up on prayer, meditation or
meeting attendance You can t adorn!
to be bored with recovery
10 EXPECT1NO TOO MUCH - You can
not aspect others to charsgo the* hteslyte
even though you have Do not set goals you
cannot reach with normal shod
11 SWITCHINO AOCMCTIONS - AdcScta
often switch addiction» These addlcMns
ndude toad, drugs, alcohol, gambling, shop
ping, sex and more
12 FONOETTtNO GRATITUDE-Da
good to remember where you started Irom
end how much better Me is now.
13. OMNIPOTENCE - Don't leal Mss you
have ad the answers lor yoursetl and others.
TtunWng “it can! happen to me" is danger
ous Almost anything can happen 10 you and
most Kkety wil d you're careless Your dls
eata is progratsNa end you w>l be In worse
•hape d you relapse
In order to stay in recovery,
attention must be given to the dis
ease. This list provides a good idea
of what to look for. GOOD LUCK!
1
Tobacco facts
• T ctMcoo UM ti ra^ioraMi lor mon twnom In
dead* in the Unted SMee
• I • eettneled thd amoMhg M related lo about
400.000 U S daalha tech yaar
• SmoMng Mnwo lor 30 paean <4 <1 cancer (Malta.
M a malar auu or heart daaaae and to aaaactmd
w9t cunrJBons rangtig Irom cxAto and Qirlrtc Am
to chronic terinttoto and oenbrovaoatar dtoeaoe
• I la now eeMnaled toel in toe Urttod States today
flora ara about 30 mdton ea agaroSe smohers and
torn* SO mMan amoSer*
• Smotong naes ara r*/e< among Macks. btoe-cutar
worsen and laaa educated people
• Chirten (eapeoaty grts) ara darting lo smoke to ear
ter ages
• Mora man 3.000 leensgers become rngriar vtvjkuts
each day In tie tinted Stales
• The proportion or adito mala smokors (20 yean aril
radar) consuming 2S or more ogaralles par day
ncntased Irom 30 7 perron to 32 parcnrt between
19/8 and 198S and lenato smokers Horn 19 perron
to 21 perron
• For every pace ol agaroses soM, « anh society j
S2 1/ to losl pnxtortMfy and treatment ol smoking
• the prov.tenon ot smokaig Iws (tocmased Irom40 i
perron m 1969 lo 29 person In 198/
Marijauna Facts
• Marijuana contains up to 50 parrar* mom tar and
canon causing checrscais than cigarette*. added to
the lad mat ma amoks from mar^uana b mated
deep«r and liapt In lha lungs kings* man cigar alias
ra suits m a drams** mom 1 is sue damaga
• A graalar rtsk ol low birth waKjN and |o*nl. haan
and abnormaMlaa Is lound m newborn babies lo
molher* who smoke pol
• Marxians altacts one s ddvtng aMiies by Impairing
perception. raactlon lima and abiMy lo loltow a
moving object
• THC sadousiy aflads lha brain s abHy lo balance
lha chemicals thal control mood, energy, appetite
and concasntmlion
• Unike many drugs, which e«n lha body within
hours. Ih# breakdown ot pol s products in lha body
can taka 3 5 days, even weeks lor heavy users
Thu coukj mean much buidup lor the regular user
• Marijuana also disturbs lha hormonal balance ol
the roprodudiva system, desrupnng menstrual
cycles m woman and causing low sperm counts in
men
• Marijuana Is considered a 'gateway drug' with is
use progressively tearing lo the use ol more dies
drugs, especially when used al a young age
SOI IHt f S MARIJUANA A SECOND LOOK aivl
MARIJUANA HEALTH EFFECTS
Cer4Ntiu«M fry C«am “H-ar-gaa
Editor Melanie Stood
Director of Health Education Joanna Frank
Peer Health Advising Coordinator Anne Dochnahl
Health Educators Usa Spit/miller, Bntt Elks, Marjone Callahan and Melanin Steed
Layout Design Scott Dana and Melanie Stood
Peer Health Advisers Aimee Gndley, Darcy Held, Carole Springer, Shannon Hussey, Jason Fullan, Anil f .
cher. Kim Howard. Tom Boyer, Jill Ritter, Tnsh Herber. Jell Johnson, Mindee Beyerte. Carta Borovicka and Shun
Helms.
Production ingnd White
Rw Well Now tA * r**v» by tte Student
Health (>nii»r -mil f*t*!iurd by »hr txNtith i* Jut At tor* »Uit With
ih* *»isuji«# of th* (*r»4m>n J >«*tiy f m#r«kl All *rtkk-% *rt> writ*
irn by ttud*nf» *nd Cfr» ter the H**lth EdurAtiun Program
I woukJ Uhr to *»triuj many thank* upon my graduation to
th* Hrarh rdutabon Suit (Joann*. Liurrr*. Anm, I »*, Mar>or»e
*rvi Bntt), Richer* rviii, Admmwnrator «l th# ytmttnt |i**tth < m
irf *t*i Dr (4f«ld H*nahly. l>r UmM fsckj*'i\ Brvsn i ^pfHsipr
Director oi Adv*m*«sj|. Scv?i Dsn*, ingnrf Wh»n* an*l thr pruwW
&»t* Ml) for trutiung thru inMKatKif* mv »**«
>Y«r» ** «dtfctf May you nava good health*
MrUftW S*ml. Kiilivf