Budweiser, Hennessey, Absolute, Vodka, and Crown Royal are all common terms on many college campuses across the country. Although not all college students drink or consume alcohol, it is a large part of many students’ lives. Most students restrict their drinking to parties and social settings, but for some students, alcohol quickly becomes a part of everyday life.
Studies show that alcohol consumption on predominantly minority college campuses are at an all time high. Many students are unaware of the percentage of minorities with addictions to alcohol consumption. Most minority students believe that Caucasian college students consume more alcohol than minorities. On the contrary, a study on about.com stated that though Caucasians might have a drink everyday, minorities consume more weekend ounces than Caucasians do in a week.
There is a difference between a person who occasionally drinks and an alcoholic. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism or NIAA describes an alcoholic as an “alcohol dependent person who continues drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.”
The NIAA separates the symptoms into four categories: Craving- a strong need or compulsion to drink, Impaired control- the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion, Physical dependency- withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking, and Tolerance- the need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
What makes a person become addicted to alcohol? The typical response is environment. In fact most students believe the environment is the primary cause for alcoholism. A new study by Dr. Cassi Vieten shows that there is a genetic component in alcoholism. This study shows that the choices students make with alcohol, can not only affect their lives- it can affect the futures of their children. It can seem harmless to have a drink frequently, but alcohol is a drug and with unregulated consumption a person can quickly become addicted.
Can an alcoholic stop drinking without help? The answer is hard to say, but the NIAA states that it would be very difficult for a person who is addicted to reduce his or her amount of alcohol without any assistance i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholism is a serious problem in all communities, despite common knowledge alcohol is a drug and can become addictive if its consumption is not regulated.
So what can we do as college students to prevent addiction in the future? We should drink only if we are 21 years of age or over. We should drink in moderation and refrain from binge drinking. We should look out for one another as college students. Be up front with friends who we think may be abusing alcohol and strive to create an environment where alcohol is under control.