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 Spot the warning signs of a drinking problem By Don Musick Studies show that, barring the winter holiday season, college students drink the most heavily during the summer months. There is a common misperception that problem drinkers need alcohol to function; this could not be further from the truth. Only someone in the latest stages of addiction needs alcohol in order to fulfill a daily task. What follows are some of the common (and easy-to-understand) warning signs that a person is engaging in unhealthy drinking behavior. Underreporting: Aaron White and Courtney Kraus of Duke University Medical Center found that research supports the long-held belief that students underreport the amount they actually drink. When students claim that they had three drinks, there’s a good chance it was more like five or six. Blackouts: A high rate of consumption can result in a loss of memory without a loss of consciousness. Often students report that there are lapses of time during their drinking episodes when memory of events is absent. As a blackout is a sign that one’s tolerance is very high, a single episode should be a warning that one’s drinking has reached a dangerous level. Social Circle: Students who consume high quantities of alcohol tend to socialize with other heavy drinkers. The problem with using one’s social circle as a gauge to judge one’s own drinking behavior is that those in the social group may not be moderate users. Smokers: More than 90 percent of alcoholics smoke cigarettes, according to research conducted at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Being Single: People in committed relationships usually drink less. Surprisingly, this often still holds true when the partner goes beyond moderate drinking. Incidentally, moderate consumption is defined as one drink per drinking episode for a female and two for a male. The Journal of Studies on Alcohol defines heavy episodic use as five drinks in a row per drinking occasion for a man and four for a woman. Binge drinking is defined as drinking to intoxication over a two-day period and neglecting one’s responsibilities. The above signs are not intended to diagnose a problem with alcohol consumption. For more information, call the Center for Student Counseling and Disability Services at (912) 525-6971. SCAD transportation will not transport students who appear to be under the influence. The office of transportation and parking services is working with some local cab companies to negotiate a discount for students. Students can access online information about alcoholism and alcohol abuse at www.ulifeline.org. Musick is a counselor in the Center for Student Counseling and Disability Services, as well as a certified addiction counselor. |
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