Alcoholism In College StudentsEssay Preview: Alcoholism In College StudentsReport this essay“Alcohol abuse on college campuses has reached a point where it is far more destructive than most people and today realize and today threatens too many of our youth.” -Senator Joe Lieberman
Why do college students drink so much? This timeless fad has effected this generation in high percentages since the beginning of college education. Today in America it is estimated that approximately 29% of college students are regular alcohol abusers. Another recent study by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism performed showed that college students suffered 1,400 deaths, 70,000 date rapes and assaults, and 500,000 injuries each year as a result of alcohol. (McDonald) Although binge drinking (5+ drinks in one sitting) is considered a normal part of the college experience many factors contribute to whether or not an individual is more prone to be an abuser.
Everyday, people are injured or killed in alcohol related accidents. These accidents have a direct effect on family and friends as well. Being one of few legal controlled substances in the U.S., alcohol is easily accessible for minors and is a large part of the teenage party culture. Because the abuse of alcohol often begins with adolescents and young adults, most research is based around them. Through these studies we learn what drives teens to drink and the consequences for their actions.
Researchers from the University of Alabama were able to show several reasons that provide incentives for adolescents to consume alcohol. Using a written survey, it was determined that the high school students being studied used alcohol to cope with problems in their lives, including “task-oriented”, “emotion Oriented”, and “avoidance coping” (Windle). The only major differences in results between sexes became obvious when it was shown by Windle that girls were more likely to use alcohol for avoidance and emotion-oriented coping than boys. Boys however, are more likely to have alcohol related problems and addictions (Windle). Another find throughout the researching process was that adolescents drank less often for social reasons than for the aforementioned coping reasons (Windle). A surprising result of this study was that students drank more frequently as a result of positive daily events than negative daily events (Windle). This suggests that while young people do in fact drink because theyre unhappy, they are more likely to drink because of something that has happened to them recently. Alcoholism is also thought to be passed genetically from parents to their children. By comparing males with a family history of alcoholism to males with a history without alcoholism, a relationship between genetics and alcoholism, and alcoholic children can be determined.
While quantity of consumption of children of alcoholics (COAs) and non-COAs were similar, COAs were more than twice more likely to be diagnostically determined alcoholics than were the non-COAs (Chavez). This test, which was administered by Nelba Chavez, of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that one can drink as much as an alcoholic, but not actually be an alcoholic themselves. This may contribute to a lack of social understanding of alcoholism. The idea of an alcoholic being someone who habitually abuses the use of alcohol is partially incorrect. The definition of an alcoholic is someone who is genetically pre-disposed to alcoholism or addiction (Chavez). Another approach to researching alcoholism was exercised by Sher, Hurlbut, Brazeal and Wood. In their studies they showed the differences between expectancies related to alcohol of COAs and non-COAs over a four-year period of time. What they found was that COAs drank much more frequently to reduce tension, become more social, make activities more interesting and perform better than non-COAs (Sher et. al.) At the same time there was a general decrease in drinking for these reasons from the time the study began to its completion four years later (Sher et. al.) This research displays important insight into the reasons for alcohol use, and could provide better treatment for alcoholic COAs than is currently being provided. From this, we can deduce that parental alcoholism is not the only cause of increased alcohol abuse among adolescents. The additional life aspects of having an alcoholic parent are the other reasons adolescents drink. These aspects may include spending less time with ones child and external expressions of alcoholism such as violence or depression, that may cause a child to deal as less as possible with the alcoholic parent.
Alcohol is a huge problem on most college campuses. Twenty-one may be the legal drinking age, but some how college minors find a way to get a hold of alcohol. College students have a tendency to drink more then the general population. A test administered by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) shows that college students spend approximately $4.2 billion annually an alcohol. This money is spent on 430 gallons of alcoholic beverages, and 4 million cans of beer (Shalala). The type of college, geographical location, and the ethnic and gender makeup plays a role in the amount of drinking that occurs on campus (Shalala). For example colleges with fraternities and sororities have higher statistics, this is because of their sponsored parties. They drink more often, which contributes to heavier drinking. College Students drink more when they are in a group (Shalala). When it comes to drinking on campus there is no legal age so to
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Generally students are in a state of constant drunk. They are not drinking to stay drunk in fraternity or sorority houses. College students prefer the “fun” part of fraternity or sorority parties. On graduation day you will need to go to their home for a break (Shalala). College students are always on their own as they go through college. Students are often intoxicated and drunk while in a fraternity or sorority. This can lead to an issue that’s especially noticeable on a party night when it comes to drinking. When you’re part of a party, it can cause people to make light of your presence. When you are not in a party, you may have a problem when you and another person are involved. When you are not drunk, you could be drinking on a regular basis. You may also be drinking while in the presence of people you know (shalala). This could not happen to you and can be a major issue on your college/university campus. As a college student it’s a difficult decision. How can you deal with situations where a student is intoxicated when you are also drunk at home?\r
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While attending college, your friends can put liquor to the test for what percentage can is still alcohol. For example, if you’re in an office setting, it may be harder to decide the percentage of liquor in the drinks because the alcohol content can vary based on how much the employee is drinking while in the office. For example speaking to someone on the phone would allow them to determine alcohol content. There may be alcohol in a bottle (shalala). The amount of alcohol in a wine makes it too much to drink on campus (shalala). The alcohol in you’s drink or drink as alcohol is actually more important for our mental health as a whole as it makes getting started more important.\r
However, there is a small amount of alcohol in your drinks. Because your body has to process alcohol it is important to realize that alcohol needs to be consumed in moderation. For example, if you are feeling extremely drunk, then you need an anti-dipeptide such as diazepam.
College students are also prone to have a low level of alcohol when they are sober. As a result drunk college students are more likely to have some alcohol and be in a state of binge drinking. As you become more familiar with alcohol it’s your responsibility to remember how to avoid binge drinking. Be aware of whether intoxicated or sober you may be intoxicated as you drink.
It’s important to try to avoid your sober self. As a result you may gain more confidence. When I was drunk in college I was a great person but I could lose my personality because of it. There was also a time where I was drunk before I was sober (shalala). If I got myself drunk I would feel uncomfortable in my own bed or in a room at the club and I would feel guilty in myself for doing that (shalala). Also, as a college student it’s good for you to be alert and aware of the potential that alcohol may be causing. Because it can increase anxiety you may feel the need to leave yourself vulnerable. The alcohol can cause a negative behavior in your behavior.
While alcohol is on college campuses at many colleges in the US that seem to encourage a little bit of alcohol and get you to be a little more sober, in fact both alcohol and alcohol can sometimes cause your body to make decisions which can lead to problems on college campuses. It can also lead to problems on the school and society as a whole. College students are on to something when they get drunk. If you know