Alcohol and college seem to go hand in hand. College is a time when teenagers feel like they are discovering themselves, and it’s often the first time they’ve been on their own. This path can often lead to some self destructive choices, and while some are simply a part of life, others can have an immediate negative impact and create problematic habits that can last a lifetime. Substance use disorder is one such choice.
Reports have shown that roughly four out of five college students drink alcohol in some capacity. The ages of college students usually range from 18 to 22, which means that it’s likely those who are drinking in college are doing so illegally. This type of behavior is the norm on college campuses, and is encouraged by fellow students and ignored by most faculty. This type of culture is what leads to excessive drinking on campuses and the dangers that come with it.
Just like the culture outside of the classroom, the culture inside the classroom plays a significant role in why college students choose to drink. The stress college puts on students is extreme, and students are faced with severe consequences if they don’t get good grades. Due to this extreme level of stress, college students often need a way to relax. Unfortunately, the form this most often takes is excessive drinking. Over half of those drinking in college are binge drinking, meaning they are drinking a lot of alcohol in a short period of time with the intention to get drunk. Drinking just to get drunk is dangerous, and puts those drinking in the line of fire.
For the last decade or so, sexual assault on college campuses has become a very popular and sensitive topic. Countless allegations and cases have been filed, and many believe colleges aren’t doing enough to keep their students safe, or believe them when something actually does go wrong. A study by the Center on Addiction and Substance Use Disorder found that alcohol had a role in over 100,00 cases of sexual assault or rape. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can easily cause blackouts as the result of binge drinking, allowing for more sexual assaults to take place. Crime in other forms is also far more likely to take place when alcohol is involved, as the same study found that 700,000 reported assaults involved alcohol in some way.
The high-stakes and high stress world of college makes drinking seem very appealing. Often, an escape from the high-octane college experience is what students need. Unfortunately, drinking is often the form this escape takes, and usually causes more problems than it could ever solve. If you think that you or someone you know may be abusing alcohol, taking the first step towards recovery is easier than you may think.
