An Analysis of College Alcohol Abuse

____________________________________________________

More education is not the only solution or the only weapon that can be successfully used in the battle against college drug and alcohol abuse. Various proactive and reactive measures, most of which are not education-based, are listed that compliment educational approaches in the war on college drug and alcohol abuse. 

From a different perspective, there are many reasons why college students abuse alcohol, but the simplest answer is this: because they can.

Abusing Alcohol is Easy

When the following situations take place at college, drinking and excessive drinking become so very easy on college campuses:

• students are not informed about the long-tern negative consequences of alcohol abuse
• repeat offenders are not disciplined
• minors or intoxicated students are served alcoholic beverages by the local drinking establishments
• students have seen their parents drinking alcohol in an irresponsible manner
• the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities are not monitored
• parents are not notified about their children's drinking activities
• students get mixed messages from the college administration about alcohol
• there are so few immediate consequences for excessive drinking
• there are few alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students

What Draws Students to Abuse Alcohol?

When the following circumstances take place, college students are easily drawn into engaging in abusive drinking behavior:

• the party atmosphere at college is expected by students
• it is disregarded that drinking alcohol temporarily removes a person from his or her problems
• the "good feelings" or the "fun" of getting an alcohol high or buzz are not considered
• it is so acceptable to engage in activities that emphasize the drinking of alcohol
• peer pressure or influence is added to the equation
• ignoring the belief or perception that drinking alcohol makes it easier to socialize with potential dating or sexual partners

More Than Education is Needed

While I am 100% pro-education, especially when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse prevention, I do not think that education is the only solution or the only weapon that can be successfully used in the battle against college drug and alcohol abuse. Let me explain.

Proactive and Reactive Measures

With respect to alcohol abuse in higher education, many reactive AND proactive measures have been initiated at some colleges and universities that have reduced the availability, acceptability, and irresponsibility of alcohol use on and off campus. The result: a noticeable, if not a significant reduction in alcohol-related problems manifested by students.

The following are proactive and reactive measures that have reduced abusive drinking by college students:

• having college administrators talk to the owners of local drinking establishments so that minors and/or intoxicated students are not served alcohol
• monitoring the drinking activities in the sororities and fraternities
• disciplining repeat alcohol abuse offenders
• eliminating mixed messages by college administrators about alcohol (for instance, removing alcohol advertisements from stadiums and from sports brochures)
• informing students about the long-tern negative consequences of alcohol abuse
• increasing alcohol-free social and recreational activities that are attractive to students
• notifying parents about their children's drinking activities
• establishing immediate consequences for excessive drinking
• establishing immediate consequences for excessive drinking

College Alcohol Abuse: Conclusion

Medical Research and Treatment Are Not Enough

I assert, however, that the above proactive and reactive measures, most of which are NOT education-based, are needed to compliment educational approaches. Why? I am enough of a realist to believe that even if medical research eventually discovers viable ways to escape addition and if the medical community is able to offer effective treatment to all who need it, there will always be those who, for whatever reason, will choose to disregard medical warnings, ignore their health, and who will discount common sense as they involve themselves in alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!

________________________________________