It’s no secret that college students like to drink. Alcohol is practically synonymous with the college experience. It can be a lot to handle, especially if you’re not prepared for it.
While a certain amount of drinking is to be expected in college, there is such a thing as drinking too much. College drinking can lead to serious consequences, both short- and long-term.
So why is this problem so pervasive? There are a number of factors that contribute to it. First of all, college is a time when many students are away from home for the first time. They are living on their own and thus have a lot more freedom than they did in high school.
They can come and go as they please and there is no one to tell them what to do or not to do. Additionally, there is a lot of pressure to fit in and be like everyone else. Everyone seems to be partying and drinking and having a good time and so students feel like they need to do the same in order to be accepted.
As defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism alcohol use disorder is a medical condition described as an impaired ability to stop or have control of alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Also that moderate to severe alcohol use disorder is considered someone who drinks more than 4-6 drinks daily.
What are the Side Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder? Here are some of the effects:
When it comes to AUD there are different types of consumption levels. They are separated by category and how they affect your overall well being. If you aren’t sure what category you fall under, you can use these definitions to help:
Binge Drinking: Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks in a two-hour period for women, and 5 or more drinks in a two-hour period for men according to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Is defined as one drink for women and up to two drinks for men.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption: is defined as binge drinking for five or more days during a one month time frame.
College students across the United States face a number of problems. One of the most prevalent among these is drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, four out of five college students drink alcohol. Moreover, three out of five of those students participate in binge drinking.
This problem is not new. It has been around for decades and shows no signs of slowing down or dissipating. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students are negatively affected by drinking. Some of these students suffer from alcohol poisoning. Others get into car accidents while under the influence. So how do you know if you’re at risk for alcohol use disorder?
Based on the NIAA estimate that about 1,519 college students ages 18 to 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.
This means that thousands of college students are engaging in alcohol consumption on campus.
Low-risk to moderate-risk is considered as:
If you are already at these parameters for drinking you could soon become at risk for AUD. It is important to get help controlling your alcohol consumption before it leads to Alcohol Use Disorder.
College students who drink too much alcohol are more likely to experience negative consequences such as missed classes, falling behind in schoolwork, poor performance on tests, and getting into fights. They’re also more likely to take unnecessary risks, like driving drunk or having unprotected sex.
The good news is that there are treatment options for you, even as a college student. It is important to notice these signs of alcohol usage before it becomes out of hand. Alcohol doesn’t have to be the answer for stress or a social status in college.
Here at Virtual Treatment Center we are here to work around your school schedule. We want to help you cope with your use of alcohol and give you the tools you need in order to be successful in and out of your classes. Call us today, we are here for you.
Assessments and treatments are confidential and scheduled around your availability. Our admissions team will speak with you and create a treatment track that is specifically designed based on your needs. Assessments that assess executive functioning, cognitive ability, and academic performance are typically used to determine substance abuse symptoms.
During intake, we may schedule testing and assessments needed, and we will provide you with a feedback session in which we discuss and recommend the results. Contact Enhance Health Group today to find out all about our College Drinking Treatment in Orange County, CA.
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