How to Avoid Alcoholism in College

Excessive alcohol consumption is a habit that seems embedded in the campus party culture across the world. Alcohol use and binge drinking remain a public health issue in college. Most students are triggered to start drinking in risky and irresponsible ways by the freedom that comes with moving away from parents and being independent. Additionally, not every student is ready for the changes that college life brings.
Some students turn to alcohol as a way of coping with college stress. Others give in to the peer pressure from new friends. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism, which is not easy to overcome. The fact is that most students drink too much, thereby putting their safety and health at risk. College students who abuse alcohol are likely to become alcoholics than those who do not drink or only consume it moderately.
Why Avoiding Alcoholism in College Matters
Students that don’t avoid alcoholism end up seeking specialized free rehab centers (like these https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/free-rehabs/ ) while still in college or after school. Addiction and drug abuse cost taxpayers almost $534 billion in law enforcement, preventable healthcare, crime, and related expenses annually. This does not include the suffering and pain that addicts and their loved ones endure because it’s not easy to measure.
Just like other health issues, avoiding or preventing alcoholism is financially beneficial and more effective than treatment. Ensuring that college students are informed of the possible consequences of alcohol abuse can help them make the right decisions.
Causes of Alcoholism in College
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is characterized by alcohol preoccupation and uncontrolled drinking. Some students have already experimented with alcohol before joining college. Research has shown that over 60% of college students report having drunk alcohol before joining college. Thus, some accelerate or continue their drinking on joining campus.
Some learners engage in alcohol abuse while copying the behaviors of their parents. Students from families where parents have an addiction are likely to become alcoholics. Stressors like new responsibilities and exams can also lead to alcohol abuse. Being away from friends and family , new routines, as well as, new people are some of the changes that can stress students. Differences between residential and university environments can also influence students to abuse alcohol.
Although many factors can lead to college drinking and alcoholism, research indicates that unstructured time is the major cause. College parties provide a great way to spend unstructured time. Parties are generally great for social interactions. However, they also lead to unhealthy peer pressure and heavy drinking. In most cases, students choose friends that consume alcohol like them. These have a major influence on their drinking habits . Eventually, they end up in free alcohol treatment centers due to their excessive drinking that leads to alcoholism.
Effects of Alcoholism in College
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, people that binge-drink more often are likely to have a drinking problem. Alcohol abuse has many negative effects on college students. Some are mild while others are long-lasting and serious.
Among the major effects of alcoholism in college include:
●
Missing classes, poor performance in exams, and lower grades.

● Legal problems

● Drunk driving

● Sexual assault

● Health problems like liver damage, stomach ulcers, sexual impotence, and heart complications.

Strategies for Avoiding College Alcoholism
Just like most social activities, moderate drinking can be fun. However, most college students easily go overboard after taking an alcohol sip for the first time. Eventually, they are unable to control their drinking unless they get free help for alcoholics. Here are strategies that can help you avoid alcoholism in college.
Know Your Limit
It’s okay to have an interest in drinking. However, don’t push your limits because that will land you in trouble. Before you attend a frat party, know your drinking limit. You can find this out by drinking with a sober family member or friend. Let them take note of the drinks you have and your behavioral changes after having a few drinks. They can even take a video to show you how you act or look after drinking. Their observations should give you a hint of the number of drinks you should not exceed.
Check Your Environment
College students have the freedom to socialize in different environments. A nice way to avoid college alcoholism is choosing a campus environment that offers sober alternatives and activities. Thus, you don’t have to attend a party that involves binge drinking if you don’t want to drink.
Skip Some Rounds
Peer pressure is not a myth in college. However, your drinking friends won’t be monitoring you all the time. Therefore, you can skip some rounds if you don’t want to binge drink. Instead of alcohol, get juice or water. This is particularly crucial when you feel that you should slow down.
Don’t Mix
Alcohol doesn’t have to always pair with other drugs. Many people have died because of mixing drugs. However, some people still believe it is harmless to mix drugs. Even prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can have negative effects when mixed with alcohol. Therefore, avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs to avoid negative effects and possible addiction .
Know the Negative Effects of Alcohol
Learning about the negative effects of alcohol can help you make informed decisions when it comes to drinking. Physical and health effects of alcohol can be the major reasons why a student will need a free drug treatment program. When students are aware of the health consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, they can limit their drinking.
Don’t Let Alcohol Play a Leading Role
The role of alcohol in your college life should be supportive. Unfortunately, many college students drink to have fun or become more social. That means they make alcohol their focus at any event. Consequently, they are under pressure to keep drinking even when they’ve had enough. This leads to binge drinking and subsequent alcoholism. To avoid this, put socializing at the center and front. For instance, you can have a themed party or game night during which alcohol is served, instead of gathering to drink.
The Bottom Line
Students can engage in binge drinking for varied reasons. Unfortunately, this can lead to college alcoholism, which is not easy to overcome. To ensure that you don’t end up wondering how to get rehab for free, avoid irresponsible, unhealthy, and risky drinking.