Help for Alcohol Abuse Among College Students

For many college students, there is nothing more exciting than the thought of drinking alcohol as a means of having a good time with friends. Unfortunately, what starts as an innocent way to socialize often times turns into something much more serious.

Many college students develop a drinking problem over time, finding that they are turning to alcohol more often than they should. Furthermore, this begins to have a negative impact on their school work and other responsibilities (such as a job).

Alcohol abuse is a big problem among college age people.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 80 percent of all college students drink alcohol. Along with this, about half of those who consume alcohol do so through binge drinking.

The Negative Effects

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also notes some of the more serious effects:

• Every year, 1,825 college students die from alcohol related unintentional injuries
• Nearly 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 have been a victim of assault when another student has been drinking
• Approximately 25 percent of college students note a variety of academic consequences related to drinking alcohol, such as falling behind other students, missing class, and performing poorly on homework and tests

Help is Available

While many college students are able to get their life back on track without outside help, realizing they need to cut back on how much alcohol they are consuming, others find it a challenge to do so.

Most colleges have prevention strategies in place, meant to help students keep their drinking under control. These include: college sponsored organizations, student body as a whole, and third party programs.

Those who need help often times turn to friends and family, realizing they can assist them in beating their addiction.

Additionally, your college may have a department or organization that provides assistance to those with a drug or alcohol problem. This is a great place to start, as you will receive professional advice and guidance.

Just the same as adults who suffer from alcoholism, if your problem becomes too serious to handle on your own, you may consider entering a treatment facility.

This could mean taking time off from college, but in the long run it may be the best decision you can make. Once you complete your stint in rehab you will feel better, both physically and emotionally, while also being in position to rejoin the college community as a student.

As a college student, you will be presented with many opportunities to drink alcohol. This is something that many experiment with, with most able to do so responsibly. In the event that your drinking has become a major problem, affecting your school work and other areas of your life, it is time to consider seeking professional help. Alcohol abuse among college students can lead to big problems now, and later in life.