The College Campus
And Alcoholism
College students have a special risk factor towards the alcohol dependent disease, alcoholism.
Students of higher education are typically away from parental and familial support groups.
Some students are for the first time experiencing the taste of total freedom of choice.
It is not uncommon to have young students let loose of their otherwise inhibitions, moral upbringing or
convictions and try new things.
Parties are perfect opportunities for youth to experiment with newly discovered freedom. Alcohol can be found at
most college parties, even if alcohol is prohibited. Others use alcohol to deal with the pressures of college.
It is a common news story: Binge Drinking On Local College leads to... Frequent binge drinking contributes to
students having difficulty coping with classes, remembering what they hear in class and attending class or
completing assignments.
Statistically 1 in every 5 binge drinkers is classified by evaluation as having alcohol dependence also called
alcoholism. When you look at the statistics for an over all college campus population and realize that 1 in 20
students have a alcohol dependency problem, it becomes clear that binge drinking increases your risk of
alcoholism.
Some colleges even have reputations for being "party colleges". Students come to these colleges expecting to
encounter parties and alcohol. The expectation fuels the occurrence and the camaraderie seen among students who
party can encourage binge drinking.
A recent study came to the conclusion that Male students are at greater risk than females. Nearly one in 10
college men under age 24 met a 12-month diagnosis of alcohol dependence compared to one in 20 college women under
age 24. Male-bonding rituals can be in part to blame for this statistic.
It is a sad realization that many college students do not seek treatment for alcoholism because of the norm
status that drinking has on campus. Some students may even view drinking as a rite of passage for being a college
student.
Class pressure also gets the blame for the frequent incidence of alcohol consumption. Alcohol relaxes frayed
final exam nerves, or some believe that drinking is the only way to numb the anxieties of heavy class loads.
Putting aside the obvious affects of health and academic consequences; alcohol consumption contributes to
college assaults, deaths, injury, drunk driving, property damage, sexual abuse, unsafe sex, and vandalism.
College administrators and parents are becoming more aware of the problems associated with drinking and college
students.
According to the collegedrinknigprevention.gov Website two recommendations for colleges to consider when
addressing the problem of drinking are:
The 3-in1 Framework and the 4 Tier programs. 3-in-1 Framework: This is a multiple component program that targets
the individuals who are at risk for alcoholism, the student population as a whole, the college structure and the
community that embraces the college.
Did You Know
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In recent years, the Justice System has begun to hold drunk drivers responsible for
the damages they have caused. This goes beyond holding them legally responsible and now including
monetary restitution to the victims and their families.
Another new weapon that is being used in the war against drunk driving is an
intolerant legal system. It is a waste of time these
days for a drunk driver to get an attorney and try to get a reduced sentence by pleading to a
lesser charge. Although the laws differ from state
to state, most states no longer allow even first time offenders to get way without feeling the
consequences of their driving under the influence.
In most states now even a first time offender faces a lengthy suspension of their
license and at least a weekend in jail. In order to
get their license back, most states require the offenders to attend a DUI school, which includes an
assessment with a professional counselor.
Many states have passes what is called the Habitual Violator Law, which provides
felony penalties for three DUI convictions. These
violators lose their licenses permanently if not for many years and lose their civil liberties such
as the right to vote or own a weapon.
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This report, "A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges" is geared to encourage
presidents, administrators, college prevention specialists, students and community members to think about
college drinking and the dangers it represents to all involved in the campus life including the community.
Complete information can be found here
: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/3inone.aspx 4-Tier To quote the Website,
To provide a useful list that accounts for the lack of research as well as negative findings.
Interesting Facts
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Most alcoholics are men, but far more women are becoming alcoholics these days directly as a
result of their new drinking habbits.
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Task Force members placed prevention strategies in descending tiers on the basis of the evidence available to
support or refute them. The full page can be found on: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/StatsSummaries/4tier.aspx
is important that not only students be informed about the dangers of alcohol and how drinking can lead to the
chronic and progressive disease, alcoholism; but parents, educators, and community members need to be educated
as well and encouraged to take action.
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