Call, stop by or leave a confidential phone message.

Dr. Jason Kilmer, Ph.D.
Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator
Wellness Resource Center
Room 203, Old Main
(360) 438-4513

The Saint Martin's University Wellness Resource Center is here to help you make responsible, healthy decisions about your health and well-being.  Its staff can provide information and assist you in finding community resources on subjects that may concern you:

• Self-care information for colds, flu and other common illnesses
• Nutrition
• Healthy lifestyles
• Stress education
• Caffeine addiction
• Alcohol and drug abuse prevention, assessment and referral
• Smoking cessation
• Physical fitness
• General health issues
• HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

Drop by the center anytime -- or call for a confidential appointment. Wellness Resource Center hours are posted by the door, Old Main 203. If you wish to leave a message or make an appointment during unscheduled hours, telephone and leave a message. Your call will be recorded confidentially.

Apples are available the first week of each month during the academic year as a reminder to be good to yourself and think about your health. Stop by for your apple and pick up the latest brochure concerning you and your health.  

Self care

Feeling lousy? Have a runny nose and sore throat? The Wellness Resource Center has a new service called self-care, which can help you feel better. Stop by the self-care center, check out remedies and learn when to consult a doctor.   (back to top)

College and alcohol 

Are you making friends or drinking buddies?

College life is exciting and absorbing. Sometimes we get so busy with classes, work, activities and friendships that we don't realize we have a problem until it's too tough to fix alone.

For some students, the draw of a Saturday night party becomes too absorbing. Drinking problems start small, then escalate. This process usually isn't a dramatic one, but instead, takes place slowly over a period of time.

If your friends can't have a good time without drinking, maybe you need some friends who can.

Do you or a friend have an alcohol problem?  Wondering whether you -- or someone you know has a drinking problem? Answer these questions.

• Has the amount or frequency of your drinking changed?
• Why do you drink?
• Is it you or the alcohol in control when you're drinking?
• Do you lose control?
• Is drinking affecting your relationships, academic work and/or goals?
• Are you binge drinking -- drinking a lot in a short time -- or drinking to get drunk?   (back to top)

Alcohol and grades

• "A" students average 3.1 drinks per week
• "B" students average 4.4 drinks per week
• "C" students average 5.6 drinks per week
• "U' and "F" students average 9.5 drinks
  (back to top)

Drinking responsibly

Many college students choose not to drink alcohol. Of those who do, most drink moderately.  Should you drink?  Some people shouldn't drink at all. With alcohol, their body chemistry changes and they become alcohol-dependent.  Other people can drink without suffering if they learn to drink moderately and responsibly if they choose to drink at all.

Chugging drinks puts more alcohol in your system than your body can deal with (see the section on alcohol poisoning symptoms).

Decisions you make while under the influence are decisions that can affect the rest of your life so think twice before reaching for the first drink -- or another drink.  Having sex or drinking and driving while you're under the influence are but two combinations with serious consequences.  Be responsible.  Drinking to forget a problem or drive away pain isn't the answer.  It merely postpones having to face whatever is troubling you.

To be true to yourself, be aware of your limits.  If you need help with a drinking problem, someone is always available to listen, but you must take the first step -- seeking help.

Alcohol poisoning -- a killer

Alcohol poisoning can be a serious threat to life.  Learn these symptoms of alcohol poisoning and call 911 for help if:

• The drinker is unconscious or semiconscious and can't be awakened.
• The drinker's skin is cold, clammy, pale or bluish.
• The drinker's breathing is slow -- less then eight breaths per minute -- and/or irregular.
• The drinker vomits while sleeping or passed out and doesn't wake up after vomiting.

We can help with a drinking problem

If you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol, get the information and emotional support you need to act on your decision to do something about it. The Wellness Resource Center staff is here to help. Call us today, (360) 438-4513. (Top of page)