Washington State University - Chinook Yearbook (Pullman, WA)

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T om, a senior at WSU, knew he had a drinking and drug problem even before he went for help over a year ago. He said he feels that, no matter which college he went to, he would have found drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs were a part of my life before and after I got here, he said. Though if the access to drugs weren ' t so great, I probably wouldn ' t have gone through some of the crap I went though to quit. At first I felt left out be¬ cause I realized that alcohol and drugs had been my whole social life, he said. Somehow I had to create a new one. Elaine Zakarison, director of supportive service prog¬ rams, has worked on the con¬ duct committee for the Stu¬ dent Affairs office and has background knowledge in the area of alcohol abuse. Be¬ cause of the nature of her work with students, con¬ fidentiality is a primary con¬ cern. However, she feels a number of students she has Perhaps the greatest beer-drinking game of all time, ‘‘quarters,” is a wav for many Cougs to show their competitive side while consuming brew. Mike Anderson photo counseled and seen go before the conduct committee, have had an alcohol problem in some way. A student usually faces the conduct committee when he or she has broken a university policy or code. Quite a num¬ ber of the cases going before the committee involved some alcohol abuse, she said. It ' s still a serious problem. Zakarison said in some cases the student is recom¬ mended to seek counseling or treatment for alcohol abuse. Overall, almost 100 percent of conduct cases at WSU directly involve alcohol usuage, according to Mathew Carey, acting Dean of Stu¬ dent Affairs. The cases I see are for all kinds of conduct problems, he said. For inst- ance, sexual or physical assaults, and attempted suicides. About 60 to 70 percent of the clients going for help at the Whitman County Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center are WSU students. A lot are referrals from the university, residence living or WSU counselors, said Jean Iver¬ son, an alcohol counselor. Many people are abusing a number of different drugs, but the amount of overall client numbers are the same. According to a DWI report for 1985, the agency handled 27 alcohol assessments, with 24 of these actually getting convicted. Statistics showed that 11 of the total showed no signs of an alcohol problem. However, eight of these had signs of a potential alcohol problem, and the final eight were defined as being alco¬ holic. When someone gets a DWI, the department of licensing immediately sus¬ pends that individual ' s license for 90 days, Iverson said. Before getting the license back, he or she must get an alcohol assessment. If a counselor determines an offender to show no signi- ficant problem then they usually must enter an alcohol education program. On the other hand, those offenders with a potential problem must enter a one year treat¬ ment program, and those de¬ termined to be ' alcoholic ' be¬ gin a two year treatment program, she said. Statewide statistics re¬ ported 21,711 DWI offenders, with 14,164 of these eventual¬ ly being convicted. The alco¬ hol counselor assessments di¬ agnosed 39.8 percent of the total as without a problem. Those with potential prob¬ lems totaled 19.6 percent, and 40.5 percent were alcoholic. Iverson explained the local statistics were low because of inaccurate reporting of DWI offenders petitioning for de¬ ferred prosecution. Our sta¬ tistics are similiar to the state ' s percentages, she said. The difference is we tend to put more people in the potential problem category. One trend, Iverson pointed out, was increased awareness of alcohol abuse on campus by residence living, hall direc¬ tors, and resident advisers. The university officials seem to be more interested in in¬ tervening with people who are out of control. That is, they are realizing something can be done to help, and needs to be done. 26 Staying Sober

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For some, alcohol is a means of escape from (he pressures of life. Drex Rhoades photo A couple of the guys ham it up over a pitcher at the Coug. Drex Rhoades photo Those who manage to get sober wake up to a world filled with social drinkers, keggars, and parties on the weekends — welcome to typical university life. Judy is aware of the few ab¬ stainers on campus and pre¬ fers to avoid going into bars. She says she finds other things to do that are just as enjoyable, if not, more en¬ joyable. I do a lot of things in my free time, such as run, do aerobics and school work. I have no problem with time on my hands, she said. I ' m not comfortable being around alcohol but I go out with friends to plays, symphonies or just sit back, play cards and talk. Judy says she has never really felt left out when she does go to parties where alco¬ hol is served. When I go to parties and everyone is drink¬ ing, I never felt left out. It ' s something that just doesn ' t interest me anymore, she said. I normally go to parties only if I have a purpose for being there. (continued)

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“Alcohol and drugs were a part of - my life before and after I got here. Though if the access to drugs weren ' t so great, I probably wouldn’t have gone through some of the crap I went though to quit.’ Theme parties can be effective in detracting party-goers attention away from just alcohol consumption. Mike Anderson photo If alcoholism has no cure, then how is it possible to ab¬ stain from drinking for the rest of one ' s life? One day at a time, say the recovering WSU students. ' I don ' t drink one day at a time, Judy said. It ' s im¬ possible to think a week or a year ahead. Each morning I ask for strength to just stay sober for just that day. Tom says staying sober is something he doesn ' t worry about over a long-term pro¬ cess. I live my life minute by minute, day by day, he said. Living life sober is hard work at times but in the long run I ' m much happier. I wouldn ' t trade anything for what I have now. In a strange kind of way, Judy says she feels fortunate being an alcoholic. I ' ve learned to appreciate things more after I went through that misery, she said. If they ever invented a pill to enable me to drink socially again — I wouldn ' t take it. I enjoy being sober. □ Lisa Roegner Contributing Writer Tipping the keg is usually a signal which translates into m-o-r-e at campus social events. Mike Anderson photo Staying Sober 27