Support group helps CWU students battle alcohol

Published 9:55 pm Friday, April 15, 2011

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University made headlines last fall when a group of students became sick at an off-campus party after drinking an alcoholic caffeinated drink.

It’s focused interest on a support group that helps college students recover and abstain from alcohol or drug abuse, said Gail Farmer, the director of Central’s Wellness Center.

But it’s not easy.

“One challenge I have is to get students to show up. It’s a matter of time. Then the light goes on,” she said.

“The programs we offer are making a difference, but it is a drop in the bucket,” she said. “There’s still a huge stigma for being in treatment or recovery.”

The support group typically has had only one or two students. This year there are four, the Daily Record reported Thursday.

One is Jordan St. John who admits drinking episodes when he blacked out, awakening to find he’s destroyed property or said things that ruined relationships.

Now 28, St. John is determined not to repeat past mistakes.

“I’ve had struggles going back to school, not knowing anybody and being an older student,” said St. John, who hopes to run a small business after graduating next year. “I was fed up with being fed up.”

As an older-than-average student, St. John said he has a perspective on drinking that many of his peers lack. He, too, used to think drinking and partying was a normal and expected part of college life.

“They almost think it’s a rite of passage, which I think is the dumbest thing in the world,” said St. John, who took several breaks in his schooling before re-enrolling at Central. “Because drinking is so accepted, people can’t wrap their heads around the problem.”

He says the support group is a big help.

“People feel they can come there and talk about stuff and not be judged,” he said. “They’re there to make themselves better people.”

Through the meetings, St. John said he’s been forced to think about his cravings, his feelings and his values, which has helped him abstain from drinking for more than 100 days. For the first time, he feels he’s no longer at risk of abusing alcohol.

“Alcoholism does run in my family. It’s like walking around with a loaded gun,” he said. “I feel I have a lot more control over it now.”