From making new friends to gaining more freedom, college
brings some exciting opportunities. Unfortunately, it also increases the risk
of alcohol abuse.
As a first-year student or the parent of one, it’s important
to learn all you can about college alcohol abuse.
Prevalence
Of College Alcohol Abuse
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
(NSDUH), 52.5% of college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month.
In addition, 33% engaged in binge drinking, which is the most common form
of alcohol abuse.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a drinking pattern that raises
your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%.
Most women reach this BAC after having 4 or more drinks in
about 2 hours, while most men reach it after having 5 or more drinks in about 2
hours.
Students who binge drink face a higher risk
of alcohol-related problems than students who drink in moderation.
The NIAAA defines moderate drinking as having two drinks or less per day for
men and having one drink or less per day for women.
Risks Of
College Alcohol Abuse
College students who exhibit unhealthy drinking behaviors
may experience:
Academic Problems
About one in four college students face academic
consequences (such as lower grades or frequent absences) as a result of
drinking. That’s because alcohol consumption can cause problems with learning,
memory, concentration, and energy.
In general, the more a student drinks, the more their
academic life will likely suffer.
Students who binge drink at least three times a week are
about six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or project than
students who drink in moderation. They’re also five times more likely to miss a
class.
Fatal
Injuries
Every year, about 1,519 college students die from
alcohol-related unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls,
and drownings.
Alcohol increases the risk of fatal injuries because it impairs
judgment. With impaired judgment, a college student is more likely to engage in
physically dangerous behaviors like fighting, vandalism, or drunk driving.
Alcohol
Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning, also called alcohol overdose, is a
medical emergency that occurs when too much alcohol enters the bloodstream. The
abundance of alcohol interferes with essential bodily functions, such as
breathing and heart rate.
Common symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- confusion
- vomiting
- clammy
skin
- slow
or difficult breathing
- slow
heart rate
- extremely
low body temperature
- seizures
- loss
of consciousness
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek
medical help immediately. When left untreated, alcohol poisoning can cause
permanent brain damage or death.
Risky
Sexual Behaviors & Sexual Assault
Because alcohol impairs judgment, it makes college students
more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.
For instance, they might have unprotected sex or sex with
multiple people. These behaviors increase the risk of sexually transmitted
disease (STD) and unwanted pregnancy.
In addition, although alcohol doesn’t cause sexual assault,
it can contribute to it by increasing aggression and decreasing inhibitions.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, research shows alcohol is
involved in about half of sexual assaults on college campuses.
Long-Term
Health Problems
College students who regularly engage in heavy drinking face
a higher risk of health problems such as:
- liver
disease
- high
blood pressure
- heart
disease
- stroke
- digestive
problems
- depression,
anxiety, and other mental health concerns
- cancer of
the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum
Alcohol abuse can also lead to alcohol use disorder
(AUD). This disease makes you feel unable to control your alcohol use. Common
symptoms include:
- drinking
more or longer than you intended
- withdrawing
from friends and family to spend more time drinking
- avoiding
activities you once enjoyed to spend more time drinking
- needing
increasingly larger or more frequent drinks to feel the desired
effects
- experiencing
withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety or sweating) when you don’t drink
alcohol
About 9% of college students ages 18 to 22 struggle with
alcohol use disorder.
Increased
Risk Of COVID-19
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, college students must follow
safety guidelines to reduce the virus’ spread. It can be difficult to follow
public health guidelines when you’re under the influence of alcohol.
For example, because alcohol can impair memory, students may
forget to wear masks in social settings. Similarly, because alcohol can impair
judgment and coordination, they may struggle to maintain a safe distance from
other people.
READ MORE: Start the conversation about drugs and alcohol
How
Students Can Prevent College Alcohol Abuse
As an incoming freshman, you should:
Understand
Low-Risk Vs. High-Risk Drinking
It’s safest to avoid alcohol altogether. However, once you
reach the legal drinking age (21), you can engage in low-risk drinking, which
occurs when you:
- plan
what you will drink (and how much) before you start drinking
- eat a
full meal before drinking
- know
your limits
- know
exactly what’s in your drink and never leave it unattended
On the contrary, high-risk drinking occurs when you:
- are
under 21
- binge
drink
- drink
to get drunk
- drink
to cope with uncomfortable feelings
- play
student drinking games
- mix
alcohol with other drugs or medications
Choose
Friends Wisely
Some college students and young adults don’t know how to
relax and have fun without alcohol. This behavior often leads to alcohol abuse
and alcohol use disorder.
If your friends are always drinking, it’s time to find new
ones. Look for people who enjoy activities that don’t involve alcohol, such as
playing games, watching movies, or hiking.
Ask For
Help When Necessary
If you feel unable to control your alcohol use, or if you
just feel overwhelmed, talk to someone. Your parents or doctor can help you
find treatment for substance abuse or other mental health concerns. You can
also seek help from your college’s counseling center or health center.
How
Parents Can Prevent College Alcohol Abuse
As a parent of an incoming freshman, you should:
Help Your
Child Choose The Right School
Not all schools treat college drinking the same way. Before
your child applies to a school, make sure it enforces underage drinking laws
and implements strategies to reduce alcohol abuse on campus.
You can learn more about a school’s approach to alcohol by
searching for it on the NIAAA’s College Alcohol Policies directory. You can also talk to
current students, parents, and school administrators about college life in
general.
Talk To
Your Child
Before your child heads off to college, have an honest
conversation about alcohol. Discuss the dangers of alcohol abuse, such as
alcohol poisoning and unintentional injuries. At the same time, show
compassion. Remind them that you’re here to help if they start
struggling.
Check-in with your child on a regular basis, especially at
the start of freshman year. During the first six weeks of school, many college
students drink alcohol due to stress. Encourage your child to engage in
relaxing activities, such as meditating or journaling.
Know The
Signs Of College Alcohol Abuse
Some students hide their alcohol abuse from their parents,
usually due to shame. That’s why it’s important to learn the signs of college
alcohol abuse, which include:
- mood
swings
- refusal
to discuss drinking habits
- sudden
decline in grades
- frequent
requests for money
- decline
in personal hygiene
- sudden
weight changes
- loss
of motivation
If your child displays these signs, express your concerns
and offer to help them find treatment.
Amy Matton is a content writer for Ark Behavioral Health. She strives to reduce
the stigma surrounding addiction and other mental health conditions.
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