Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Croton, 28 alcoholism

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Friends — Wan Asma Ibrahim. sophomore In chemistry. Amy Malone. junior in business, and Fling Chong Pheng. freshman in food and science Industry, enjoy the acompany of one another. The trio met through the Helping International Students Program. Ibrahim and Chong are from Malaysia. International students 27

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Al-Anon, Alcohol Abuse Prevent Center offer help Drinking takes toll on some students ike, a K-State student, one day woke up to find that he was failing In school, his wife and child were gone, and that he had lost all his friends. Even then he wouldn ' t admit to himself that alcohol was causing his problems. Mike eventually dropped out of school. After finally realizing he needed help, Mike turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. I went to an open meeting ( open means that the public may attend) and found nobody was there to judge me. It was just people sharing their personal experiences with alcohol, giving strength and hope to each other. I found out I wasn ' t alone. Mike admitted that he was powerless over alcohol — that his life had become unmanageable. He had taken the first step of the twelve steps to recovery of pl AA. The alcoholic has not learned to cope with life. His mind basically self. destructs. A normal person gets a hangover and stays away from it (alcohol) for awhile, but not the alcoholic. The chains of alcohol are too strong be to felt until it Is too late, Mike said. Many (alcoholics) pursue the idea that they can handle their drinking. In reality it just doesn ' t work. One drink Is one too many for the alcoholic. After not drinking for awhile, Mike drank a beer. He went through this episode more than once. Each time he went through the same personal hell: lack of control. I am a recovered alcoholic, but that does not mean I am cured. I take one day at a time. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, two• thirds of the adult population in the United States drink at least occasionally. Among the youth of this country, a survey found that most American adolescents have had experience with alcoholic beverages. Almost 80 percent have had at least one drink; about 74 percent have had at least two drinks; and over one-half of all adolescents drink at least once a month. Even after months of treatment, alcoholics do not find it easy to stay sober, according to experts. They are forced to revise their whole life style to exclude alcohol. Some turn to religion, while others rely upon a close.knit family relationship or membership in Alcoholics Anonymous. In 1978, an alcohol•related behavior survey taken at K.State showed freshmen as the most frequent alcohol users on campus. The same survey taken in spring 1981 showed two improvements in behavior. There was a 13.2 percent decrease in driving after drinking along with 17.2 percent more persons suggesting that a friend should decrease his drinking. Another survey at K-State showed a 70-80 per cent correlation between misconduct cases in residence halls and alcohol abuse. The surveys were taken by the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program at K. State. The program is not a professional counseling agency, although It works closely with professional counselors, said Laura King, director of the program. Counselors from the Pawnee Comprehensive Mental Health Center are available at Lafene Student Health Center free of charge. Alcohol Abuse Prevention sponsored a media campaign In the Collegian and Manhattan Mercury about alcohol use and abuse. They also held a Second Annual Alcohol Awareness Day in October. Some of the topics in the InformatIonsharing•activity were drinking and driving, alcohol violence, alternate activities to drinking, women and alcohol, coping skills and counseling. Also available were free samples of non- alcoholic beverages. The program focused on having an uncocktail party. It also provided tips for a party serving alcohol. There will always be alcohol at K. State, but the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program hopes to encourage responsible use only. There is nothing wrong with alcohol if it is used in moderation, King said. by Susan Amoldy It art ads up —The Alcoholic Abuse Prevention Center ran a series of advertisements in the Collegian encouraging responsibility towards drinking. Pat Honors. senior in fine arts. designed the ads for the Center. A au brink or not hi ialat is sat the question. I ever .44 C Q(1 iet.• 414 od in