USU offers tips to recognize, avoid alcohol abuse at annual screening

By Stevie Stewart

April 5, 2007 | As part of the ninth annual National Screening Day, the USU Student Wellness Center had a confidential alcohol screening for students Thursday in the TSC Ballroom.

The screening provided an opportunity for students to evaluate their own drinking habits and provided resources for anyone who needed help or wanted to find ways to help others.

Wellness Center Prevention Supervisor Jana Carling said, "We want our students to be able to recognize when enough [alcohol] is enough."

Carling said 80 percent of USU students do not drink, but they may have friends that do and so they need to recognize the danger signs.

Upon entering the event, visitors could complete a survey and self-evaluation of their drinking habits. The evaluation included questions about how much alcohol the participants consume, if it affects the choices they make and if alcohol leads to feelings of guilt.

While the form was being assessed by a clinician from the USU counseling center, entrants could participate in a variety of activites. Blurred-vision goggles were on hand for people to see first-hand how alcohol can impair vision. Organizers also had a video presentation to help viewers identify ways to tell when they've had too much to drink.

Upon meeting with the clinician, students could ask questions or express concerns about alcoholism.

Clinician Erica Chenoweth said most of her experience with alcoholism at USU is in the counseling center and usually deals with other issues. She said the students she sees usually drink along with things like depression, or family and relationship problems.

"Statistics show 90 percent of USU students drink responsibly, compared to only 56 percent nationally," Chenoweth said. "We still need to do more to help the other 10 percent."

Chenoweth said most of the people she sees during alcohol screening day are seeking information to help someone they suspect may have a problem.

"Occasionally we see people who recognize that they may be developing a potential problem," she said. "It's times like those that we know this may really be having an impact."

Chenowotic said binge drinking is a big problem on college campuses and it is something that students need to be educated on because it often leads to alcohol poisoning.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning:
1.) Try to wake your friend -- if they don't respond, it may mean a serious problem
2.) Listen to their breathing -- it should not be irregular or very shallow
3.) Check skin -- it should not be pale, bluish, cold or clammy

What to do:
1.) If you discover any of these problems, call 9-1-1!
2.) Keep your friend lying on his or her side to prevent choking!
3.) Always stay with your friend while waiting for help!

A good rule of thumb laid out by organizers of National Alcohol Screeing Day is Z, 1, 3:

Zero Alcohol:
-For people who are not of legal age.
-For people who suffer from alcoholism or chemical dependencies.
-For pregnant women.
-For people who will be driving.

1 drink per hour:
-Means one 12-ounce can of beer per hour.
-Means one five-ounce glass of wine per hour.
-Means one 1.5-ounce shot of liquor per hour.
-Will keep blood alcohol content within the legal limit.

3 drinks per day:
-Means no more than three drinks in one day and never every day.

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