As college students, we are constantly involved in situations where alcohol is present. Consequently, this is the time for many where drinking habits are formed and developed.
Often, college students don’t realize that young adults can become alcoholics because it is assumed that college is the time where we are allowed to have fun and not worry about how we act. However, the stereotype that alcoholics are only those who are middle-aged and dealing with troubled lives through alcohol needs to be abandoned.
Alcohol is the most frequently used drug in the United States amongst teens and young adults, and we are not immune to alcohol addiction.
What is alcoholism? According to alcoholaddiction.org, “it is a diagnosable disease characterized by several factors including a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite harm or personal injury, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking stops and the need to increase the amount drunk in order to feel the effects.”
If you are worried that you or your friend might have a problem with alcohol, it is important to evaluate you or your friend’s drinking habits. According to collegedrinkingprevention.org, “31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to questionnaire-based self-reports about their drinking.”
Asking the following questions can help you find out if you or your loved one has a drinking problem:
Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
Have you ever tried to lie about/cover up the amount of alcohol you drink?
Have people ever offended or upset you by commenting on the amount that you drink?
Have you ever felt uncomfortable with the amount that you have drunk?
Do you feel like the only way to have fun or deal with problems is to drink?
Have you ever blacked out after consuming too much alcohol?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, that could indicate a possible problem. More than one “yes” to these questions means that it is highly likely that there is an alcohol-related problem.
The guilt and shame that comes from admitting that one has a problem is a huge deterrent in recovery. Many people will have a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that they have an alcohol addiction and need help. There are a variety a factors that lead to alcohol addiction such as family, genetics and social factors. It is important to approach the individual who may be suffering from alcoholism with respect, love and without blame.
Alcoholism is a disease that anyone, including those we love and care deeply for, can suffer from. Although there is no cure-all for alcoholism, there are a variety of treatments and resources for those who are seeking help.
Here are some tips on how to help a friend who is struggling with alcohol addiction:
Face the problem head on: Friends may make excuses to others or try to protect the alcohol dependent person from the results of his or her drinking. It is easy to constantly come to the friend’s aid and protect his or her from problems they could come across while having consumed too much alcohol, but it is important to stop constantly covering for the alcohol dependent person, because doing so will only leave you in the cycle of being an enabler.
Time your intervention: The best time to talk to your friend is shortly after an alcohol-related problem has occurred such as after a binge drinking experience, run-in with the police or becoming seriously ill from alcohol. Remember to choose a time when he or she is sober and the two of you are in good state of mind and in a secluded place where you can talk.
Explain why you are concerned: Tell your friend that you are worried about his or her drinking. Use examples of the ways in which the drinking has caused problems, including the most recent incident. Emphasize the fact that you are trying to help them and are not judging them, but rather trying to help protect them from problems that can arise from continued alcohol abuse.
Do not aid the problem: Do not provide alcohol to your friend or encourage activities in which alcohol may be present. You can’t shelter them or physically prevent them from making their own decisions, but you can encourage sober activities and prevent yourself from enabling their addiction.
Get help. Research information beforehand about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call immediately for an appointment with a treatment counselor. If you feel comfortable, you can offer to go with your friend for counseling.
On campus resources include Peers Understanding Listening Supporting Education (PULSE) and the counseling center, which both provide confidential counseling sessions. By calling the counseling Services at 805-756-2511 during business hours, you can schedule an initial appointment, where they will assess your current situation and determine how best to meet your needs. They will help plug your friend into either short term individual, couples, group counseling or a referral off campus. You can also check out AA meetings in the SLO area here.