| Beer,
Booze, and Books TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1. PARTY TIME ... where the action is! 2. ALCOHOL ... odorless, colorless, tasteless, potentially dangerous 3. DRINKS ... beer, wine, liquor: what's the difference? 4. RISKS ... so what's the big deal? 5. ADDICTION ... physical, chronic and progressive disease 6. INTERVENTION ... if not you, who? if not now, when? 7. FAMILY ISSUES ... why does it still hurt? 8. RECOVERY ... one day at a time 9. HIGH RISK GROUPS ... Greeks, women and athletes 10. SPRING BREAK ... a good time is had by all, maybe 11. ADVERTISING ... this Bud's for you 12. OTHER DRUGS ... alcohol is not the only danger 13. SUCCESS ... it's up to you *The following excerpts are from the First Edition of "Beer, Booze and Books...a sober look at higher education." The new Second Edition includes:
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"I don't want the time of my life to ruin the rest of my life." Those words of wisdom were spoken by a student who entered my office depressed over the fact that alcohol use was taking over his life. While in high school he was an honor student and outstanding athlete. Now a college sophomore, he had been dismissed from his team and his grades were the worst they had ever been. He was now looking for help. The difficulties experienced by college students due to high risk alcohol consumption are often a result of serious misperceptions about its use. "I'll quit when I graduate ... It's part of college life ... Everyone does it ... It was just a game ... It's only beer ... There's nuthin' else to do." These are all-too-familiar phrases reflecting the beliefs and attitudes expressed by many college students attempting to justify, in some way, their high risk alcohol use. "Beer, Booze, and Books" can help you, the college student, gain a clearer understanding of the role alcohol may be playing in your life or the lives of your peers. Included in this book are numerous quotes taken from the thousands of students I have worked with during the past ten years. These quotes indicate the myriad difficulties and, at times, misunderstandings and inaccurate information students confront when making decisions about alcohol use. At the request of some of the students, some of the quotes have been either adapted or listed as anonymous to protect their identity. As you will see, there is no clear cut answer to the dilemma about alcohol use. What we do know is that alcohol use can be risky. What we do know is that many college students are taking that risk and suffering because of it. Some of the results may be hangovers, vomiting, or missing class. Other negative outcomes may include poor grades, fights or unplanned sexual encounters resulting in sexually transmitted diseases. The high risk use of alcohol by some students is also problematic for students who do not consume at a risky level -- late night noise in the residence halls, fights, and property damage are just some of the problems they face. Since we know approximately 80 percent of college students drink, I believe it is imperative that you receive clear, accurate and applicable information. Too often college students dismiss alcohol education programs as judgmental preaching based on scare tactics and moralistic lectures. Regrettably, these students are often correct in their evaluation of these programs. While neither condoning nor condemning alcohol consumption, this book will take a closer look at college drinking and provide you with insights which will help you minimize your risks, if you do choose to consume alcohol. Finally, the choice to consume alcohol or not is your choice -- not the host of the party, not the social chair of the fraternity, not your roommate, not your friend, not the captain of the team. The choice to consume or not and the choice of how much if you do consume are yours and yours alone. These are choices you will be confronted with throughout your college life. I hope this book helps you in making the choices that will make college "the time of your life" -- a time you will not regret but will cherish the rest of your life. Back to Table of Contents CHAPTER ONE: Party Time ...where the action is! "Most people could
not understand why I would go to a party if I did not intend to drink.
This shows that many people probably go to parties for the sole purpose
of getting drunk."
According to Webster's New World Dictionary a party is "a gathering to which guests are invited in order to enjoy one another's company." Sooner or later most college students find themselves at a campus party. It might be a full-blown kegger in a friend's dingy basement or a tightly managed gathering sponsored by a liability-conscious fraternity. Maybe it'll be a small get-together in a residence hall where people play board games and have quiet conversation. Then again, it might be an off-campus party where pot, LSD, mushrooms and maybe some cocaine will be available. Most students who attend campus parties consume alcohol, and many do so at a high risk level. As part of an alcohol-education program on my campus, students are challenged to attend a party and abstain from alcohol. Below is a composite of excerpts from over four hundred reports by students who attended numerous different parties but did not consume alcohol. They provide both the male and the female perspective. Some students had a great time, but for others it was a difficult experience. Many were pressured to drink, while others were respected for their choice to abstain. All found this challenge quite revealing. By the way, these quotes have not been edited! 9:00 PM: When I arrived at the door I resented being screened by the guys. You're looked over to make sure you are "good enough." However, I have never heard of a girl being rejected, as the saying goes, "If you have a chest you'll get in." The whole place smelled of stale beer and alcohol and the floor was one giant puddle of beer topped off with old broken plastic beer cups. I watched my friends go immediately to the keg. They didn't even stop to see who was there or to socialize for a couple of minutes. At first I thought this was funny, but then I realized after watching the door for awhile that just about everyone who walked in went straight for the keg. They saved their "hellos" until after their beers were safely in their hands. It was almost as if they needed the beer to socialize. 10:00 PM: I was not really surprised by what I first saw. It was about 10:00 P.M. so it was still early. Not many of the hundred or so people there had much to drink yet, so things were relatively quiet. Not long after that though, that is, two or three beers later, people began to loosen up. When we reached the basement the stench of beer and cigarettes filled the air. It was funny that all three of us noticed the same thing. Everyone reeked of alcohol. People were piled up in front of the kegs waiting impatiently for their beers. Nasty words were being exchanged between a number of people. We laughed at the thought of not having to be stuck between all those sweaty strangers. I felt out of place because I was the only one not holding a beer. As the night went along I felt less out of place because people were finally accepting the fact that I was not drinking. 11:00 PM: The lines for the girls' rooms were outrageous and once inside they made you sick. Who knows what those drunk girls did in there to make it smell so bad. I was really falling apart and was not enjoying it. All the drunk people kept bumping into me and getting on my nerves. I wasn't thinking of hitting anyone but I was considering hitting the bottle and putting this project off for another night. The thing that killed me the most was how rude everyone was to each other. There was a person passed out in the corner and I guess nobody moved him because he looked so comfortable. I was having fun watching everyone slur and spit on each other. People pushed and shoved me all night without saying sorry or excuse me. I walked into the bathroom and someone was taking a leak in the shower. I went over to my friends and began to dance with them. It was actually more fun without alcohol because I wasn't spilling beer all over myself. But, I just had to accept the fact that others were going to spill beer on me anyway. Midnight: I usually thought the guys were the loud, obnoxious ones. But some of the girls were even worse than the guys. The party was getting really loud because everyone was trying to talk over everyone else and the music too. I don't think I listened to a conversation that didn't include plenty of profanity. Some of the sexual tones of the conversations were actually quite disgusting and they sounded quite sexist too. I had a great time talking to people and dancing. I liked the feeling of being in control of my actions. I stayed at the party and had a good time. It was a pleasant change for me. At midnight I was totally bored, sick of getting bumped into, spilled on and tired of listening to these intoxicated people spouting a bunch of bull. The thing that got me was the beer dumping. Two boys within an hour decided to come up to me, look me straight in the face and proceeded to dump beer down the front of my blouse. If they were that curious as to the size of my chest all they needed to do was ask. I do think though that if I was drunk I would have viewed it as funny. I felt like leaving early. It seemed like I was weighing down everyone's good time. I just didn't think all that was happening was so funny. The bathrooms were horrible. Of course there was no toilet paper -- so my girlfriends and I needed to drip dry. Party Descriptions continue in "Beer, Booze and Books ... a sober look at higher education" Party Risks As you can tell by the experiences above, attending a campus party can be fun. It can also be an extremely high risk activity. There are risks taken not only by the drinkers but by all those involved in the party:
Is "party" a noun or a verb? When we hear someone say, "I'm going to really party tonight," more often than not it means "I'm going to get really trashed tonight." On the campus today, "to party" is now synonymous with "to get drunk or to get high on other drugs." Therefore students set themselves up for a self-fulfilling prophecy: "If I'm going to party, I'm going to get wasted." Later in this book we will look at some strategies for attending parties and enjoying yourself while minimizing your risk for an alcohol-related problem. In the meantime, let's take a look at this stuff called alcohol. Back to Table of Contents CHAPTER TWO: Alcohol ... odorless, colorless, tasteless and potentially dangerous. "I love the feeling
it gives me." "I hate the feeling
of being out of control." "I hate the taste of
beer but I drink it anyway."
"It acts as liquid
courage and a social lubricant."
Beer, wine and liquor all contain alcohol — pure ethyl alcohol (ETOH), which is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Alcohol is one of the most enigmatic products we consume today. Historically, it has been with us since the Stone Age; the Bible alludes to Noah's getting drunk; it was a staple on the Mayflower as it crossed the Atlantic to America. Grandfathers share their beer with toddlers sitting on their knees while mothers tell their children to wait until they're of legal age before they drink. By some it's considered the devil's brew, yet others use it in sacred ritual. It has survived temperance movements in Italy, Germany, England and the United States. It's been used as a thirst quencher, to relieve hunger, as a medication and as a mind-altering drug. It's heavily regulated yet the regulations are often disregarded either secretly or overtly. On the college campus it is the main attraction at fraternity keggers and at faculty sherry hours. Although many college students do not drink and still many others drink in a low risk manner, on a national level college students average 34 gallons of alcoholic beverages each year. What happens to us once we have consumed alcohol? Also included in Chapter 2: Path of alcohol in the body, Blood Alcohol Level, Metabolism, Impairment, Tolerance, Other Considerations Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER THREE: Drinks ... beer, wine, liquor -- what's the difference? "When we actually calculated
the percentage of alcohol in different drinks it was interesting. It
made me think twice about how much I drink."
If you choose to drink alcohol, not only is it important that you understand what it is you are drinking but also how much. Students often arrive at a party and head straight to the keg, the punch bowl or maybe the shot bar. They start drinking whatever is available with no knowledge of what or how much they are drinking. One drink is equal to a 12-ounce beer, a 4-ounce glass of wine or a 1-ounce shot of 100-proof liquor. If you choose to consume alcohol, be an informed consumer! Beer "It's
not like I drink the hard stuff. It's only beer."
"Beer is for real men."
Beer has the reputation of being somewhat less dangerous than other alcoholic beverages. The only difference between the alcohol in beer and that in other beverages is the concentration or volume in the drink. The alcohol is the same -- ethyl alcohol. Most regular beers contain approximately 4 percent of alcohol by volume. This means that in a 12-ounce can of beer there is approximately one-half ounce of alcohol. The rest of the 11 1/2 ounces contain things like Bavarian hops, only the finest barley of course, and perhaps a dash of "Rocky Mountain spring water." The beer industry has developed a product called "ice" beer. Ostensibly, this product is a result of the industry's desire to provide us with a richer flavor. It is interesting to note, however, that this richer flavor comes with an increase in the alcohol content of the beer -- alcohol, the substance that causes addiction. During the early 1980s, beer sales of large U.S. brewers began to decline. The industry counted on the extra kick in ice beer to spark the staggering beer market of the 1990s. Ice beers tend to contain between 5.5 percent and 7 percent of alcohol by volume, approximately 50 percent more alcohol than regular beers. Also included in Chapter 3: Table Wine, Wine Coolers, Fortified Wine, Liquor Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER FOUR: Risks ... so what's the big deal? "I often see students
making choices without first thinking about the consequences. They do
not seem to have the strength to withstand their immediate impulses.
They need to develop the skills to look beyond the immediate gratification."
"Many people drink to
become more social but end up incoherent. Many people drink to diminish
their problems but only see them multiply. Many people drink to be the
life of the party and end up being the fool. Many people drink to make
themselves feel better but wake up feeling worse. Many people drink
to add pleasure to their lives but only end up hurting themselves and
others." We all would like to have our cake and eat it too -- and not gain weight either! Those of us who drink would love to enjoy the pleasures alcohol can provide but not face the risks inherent in getting impaired. The reality is, however, that as we drink and increase our level of impairment, we increase our risk for impairment problems. The more often we get impaired the more often we risk experiencing impairment problems. The results of the 1990-92 Core Survey, a statistically reliable and valid research instrument administered on 87 campuses to over 45,000 randomly selected students across the country, indicate that although approximately 56 percent don't drink or consume one drink per week and 21 percent average between two and five drinks per week, many college students continue to experience numerous negative outcomes as a result of alcohol consumption. Here are just some of them:
Regrettably, there's not much evidence indicating a significant decrease in these negative outcomes today. As a matter of fact, in the last five years, the number of emergency room admissions for alcohol poisoning in campus communities has jumped 15 percent. At one school, cases of alcohol poisoning doubled over the past decade. I hear many students claim, "When I get out in the real world, I'll cut back on my drinking." It scares me to hear so many students deluding themselves. The college campus does not have a protective dome surrounding it. Campus hangovers are just as painful and debilitating as off-campus hangovers, the rapes that occur on campus are no less traumatic than street rapes, the AIDS contracted on campus is just as deadly as that contracted off-campus. Granted, campus life is different from the so-called work world. But, the campus is the real world. There are different responsibilities and stresses, but it is real. Don't let your professors or college administrators, or your peers for that matter, minimize your college life by referring to it as somehow less than real. Hangovers "I was always getting loaded. I'd
get up the next day and drink a beer to cure the hangover." "I get up around noon.
I usually take four Advil. Then I struggle over to the dining hall.
Some of the people there look like they were in a train wreck. I can't
believe we're all doing this to our bodies." "This year I've
stuck with my two drink limit. I have a better time at parties, I'm
not hungover, I remember who I met the night before and my grades have
gotten much, much better." The Germans call it "wailing of cats" (Katzenjammer), the Italians "out of tune" (stonato), the French "woody mouth" (Gueule de bois), the Norwegians "workmen in my head" (jeg har tommermenn) and the Swedes call it -- my favorite — "pain in the roots of my hair" (hont i haret). If you have experienced a hangover, I'm sure you can relate to any or all of these descriptions of a hangover. Academics "I now realize that freshman
year I was making some really high risk choices. When I think back to
my three nights per week
-- drunken stupors -- I'm horrified. I cannot believe I had no clue
as to the damage I was inflicting on my body. My grades suffered, I
nearly got arrested and I gained twenty five pounds. I even altered
my schedule to accommodate my drinking. It scares me to think I did
this. Now, because I've cut back drastically on my drinking, my grades
have significantly improved, my attitude is health oriented and I completely
lost my beer weight." "I was drinking big
time. I received a 1.5 that semester and to top it off I got arrested
and had to pay about three hundred dollars worth of fines."
"My Dad always told
me to profit from others'
mistakes. But, I needed to learn myself. And it cost me. My freshman
year is just a big blur. Academically I -- shall we say -- was not fully
engaged. It took me a couple of years of lousy GPAs to learn what was
more important -- partying or good grades." Alcohol is implicated in more than 40 percent of all academic problems and 28 percent of all dropouts. Research indicates that, on average, college students who drink the most alcohol earn the lowest grades. Students with D or F grade point averages report consuming an average of 9.5 drinks weekly, C students average 5.6 drinks weekly, B students average 4.4 drinks weekly and A students average 3.1 drinks per week. Driving Under the Influence "I realized while watching
the DUI video that my friends and I have not only risked our own lives
but also other peoples'
lives too." "My friends and I are
going to have to do a lot of changing when it comes to drinking and
driving. We are going to have a real designated driver, one who does
not drink at all. Or, we will take public transportation." During the time it takes you to read this book, six people will die (approximately one every twenty minutes) due to an alcohol-related car crash. And, chances are that many of these victims will be college students. In spite of all the educational programs now being conducted, all the prevention programs now implemented, all the increased enforcement of DUI laws, 33 percent of our college students still report driving while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol-related highway crashes killed over eight thousand 15-to-24 year-olds in 1988. Sex "Doesn't
it scare them with so many STDs in the world. How can people risk their
lives for one night of enjoyment? I don't know how many times I've heard
my friends talk about one night stands and then they just laugh about
it. How can you laugh about something that could take your life? And,
of course, all these one night stands are alcohol related." "It's
sad to see a young girl right out of high school fall into the trap.
The young freshmen come to school not knowing anyone and it's usually
their first time away from home. They meet some guy that's more than
happy to keep pouring beer into them. These girls think the guy is just
being nice or he likes them. Maybe. Then at the end of the night you
see "Daddy's little girl" stumbling home in the arms of a
satisfied predator carrying his prey." "During my sophomore
year I went to a party and I had never had a real drink before. Sure
my parents gave me a sip of wine here and there but it was my first
REAL PARTY. You know what I mean. My friends started handing me bottles
of Southern Comfort. Soon I was loaded. I couldn't
even see. Well, to make matters worse that was the night I lost my virginity
and I don't even remember it. Yes, every female's worst nightmare." Just like music and lighting, alcohol may enhance or establish a romantic mood. But, due to its disinhibiting action, high risk alcohol consumption also contributes to increased sexual promiscuity on our campuses today. Between 35-70 percent of college students report engaging in some type of sexual activity primarily as a result of alcohol. For example, at Dartmouth, 46 percent of students admit that, while under the influence of alcohol, they had sex they would not have engaged in had they been sober. And, nearly one out of five students report abandoning safer sex practices while under the influence of alcohol. Students engaging in unplanned sexual encounters as a result of alcohol consumption risk a number of assorted problems ranging from embarrassment, guilt, and other emotional difficulties to pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease -- including, of course, AIDS. Sixty percent of college women surveyed who have acquired sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS and genital herpes, were under the influence of alcohol at the time they had intercourse. If we were to believe all the statements and images presented by the alcohol advertising industry, we would view alcohol as a necessity for a successful, pleasurable sex life. Some people do believe that alcohol increases your sexual desire and improves your performance. But, physiologically speaking, alcohol has the opposite effect. Research strongly indicates that alcohol contributes to sexual dysfunction in men. As Shakespeare noted in the tragedy Macbeth, alcohol "provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." In one study, the ability of college men to achieve an erection while watching erotic films was impaired at blood alcohol levels below the legal intoxication point. In much the same way, alcohol decreases the sexual pleasure of women. This is due to the fact that alcohol reduces vaginal vasocongestion during sexual activity. The conclusions of this research are inescapable: Alcohol negatively affects the ability to perform and/or enjoy sexual activity. State Dependent Learning "We usually do shots
before the party. You know, it kinda takes the edge off and makes me
more sociable."
"Nine times out of ten
my boyfriend was impaired when he spent the night. The first time he
told me he loved me he was drunk. He could never say it to me when he
was sober. It took me about four months but I finally got a clue and
dumped him."
Research conducted at Mississippi State University indicates that one of the five primary drinking factors for college students is "relational" -- that is, they report drinking helps them to meet and socialize with others. This is not surprising. As teens we often feel insecure and find it difficult to socialize. This difficulty is a normal part of human development. State dependent learning refers to the development of a reliance on alcohol to help us socialize. Many students develop this reliance while in high school or during their early years in college. There's a problem here, though. Those social skills developed while impaired do not transfer very effectively into the sober state. Therefore, the problem continues. The more we socialize while under the influence of alcohol, the more we rely on alcohol to assist us in this socialization. This reliance can continue through college life and beyond. Violence "My roommate came home
at three in the morning, banging on the door to be let in. She was out
with a guy and they both were drinking. He was being rough with her
and she fell running away from him. She had split her hand open and
it was bleeding everywhere. The next day she went to the doctor and
she ended up with a broken hand."
Rape is a crime of violence. Some rapists use a loaded gun, while others use a loaded victim. On the college campus, in 90 percent of rapes, alcohol was used by either the assailant or the victim. Seventy-three percent of the assailants and 55 percent of the victims of rape had used alcohol or other drugs prior to the assault. Also included in Chapter 4: a more comprehensive look at these and many other risks Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER FIVE: Addiction ... physical, chronic, and progressive disease. "When I first got to
college in the Fall I got drunk because it made me feel comfortable
at parties. My drinking did not interfere with my academics. However
when I returned in the Spring, I got drunk to get over the depression
of a recent breakup. My grades suffered drastically and I realized I
needed to slow down a bit. However, by my Junior year I was drinking
nightly. I hit bottom around the end of last Spring semester. I felt
like I was on a mission to self-destruct." "I know I have to be
careful 'cause
I don't want to turn out like my father or grandmother. They both got
sick from alcoholism and my grandmother died from it. I need to learn
that I am not special or different from them. I can have problems in
the future." One of the questions asked most frequently by college students is, "What's the difference between a social drinker, a problem drinker and an alcoholic?" Considering that many professionals still debate the differences among the three, it would be extremely difficult to give you a conclusive answer in this small book. But maybe I can give you some helpful guidelines. When someone experiences problems as a result of their drinking, they are, at the very least, a problem drinker and are considered to be abusing alcohol. Is the problem drinker an alcoholic? It depends. An acceptable definition of alcoholism for most professionals is the continued consumption of alcohol despite the physical, psychological, and/or social problems caused by the drinking, together with an inability to consistently control the amount consumed. Also included in Chapter 5: The Phases of Drinking Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER SIX: Intervention ... if not you, who? if not now, when? "Once I talked to my boyfriend about
his excessive drinking. It turned into a battleground."
"I don't
know how to approach the person. I'm afraid of not getting through and
perhaps even making an enemy." "This information was
very helpful when I confronted my friend. This could help save the lives
of many college students."
If it hasn't happened already, sooner or later someone close to you will experience a problem with alcohol or other drugs. While in college it may be a roommate, a teammate, a loved one or a friend. Beyond college it might be a relative, perhaps your father or mother, an employer, an employee, a future spouse or maybe a son or daughter. I guarantee that it will happen. When confronted with this situation, we tend to feel helpless and hopeless. After all, conventional wisdom states that you need to wait for the person to hit bottom before he or she will seek help. But conventional wisdom isn't always wise, especially when it comes to alcohol and other drugs. You may not be able to help someone who has an alcohol problem until that person hits bottom, but you can raise the bottom. Also included in Chapter 6: When, How, Enabling, Detachment Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER SEVEN: Family Issues ... why does it still hurt? "I've
started to understand why my father feels the way he does. My dad is
a great person but he still shows the scars from when he was abused
when he was growing up. Alcoholism is a big problem in this country
and it effects many people other than the alcoholic -- the children,
the spouses and the friends are all sucked into the problem." "When my dad was drinking
heavily he once threatened to blow my mother's
head off. Somehow he had gotten his gun and locked himself in the bathroom.
Me and my sister were downstairs and heard everything." "I hated her for
being the way she was. I did not think it was fair to have a mother
who could not remember her own daughter's
name." "The problem is that
when she's not
drinking she's the best mother. When I see her drinking I block it out
and think of what she's like when she's not drunk." Alcoholism affects more people than just the alcoholic. It has the potential to destroy the basic fabric of family life. And recent research indicates that many of your peers come from families that have experienced some difficulties with alcohol or other drug use. Results of the 1990-92 Core Alcohol and Drug Survey indicate:
Unspoken Rules The family of an alcoholic experiences many difficulties. In order to deal with these difficulties, many alcoholic families develop very similar behavior patterns or unspoken rules, "Don't talk, don't feel, don't trust." These patterns are coping mechanisms to an impossible situation. Results The pain associated with growing up in an alcoholic family can have serious deleterious effects on an individual even into adulthood. Many of your peers are arriving at college with more "baggage" than is apparent. They may have difficulty confiding in you even though you consider yourself a close friend. Maybe they will jump from one bed to another searching for a meaningful relationship through a variety of meaningless sexual encounters. Maybe they will drown their fears and pain in alcohol and other drugs. Maybe they will take the time and make the effort to grow while in college despite their past difficulties. Growth Yes, if you are the child of an alcoholic, your family life may have been difficult, perhaps excruciating. Yes, maybe those difficulties are still affecting you today. And yes, you can do something about it. It is important to realize that you can "turn the page" on that part of your life. You can now take control of your life and cease being a victim. As a matter of fact, now may be a great time to confront these issues. Risks So, is alcoholism genetic? The jury is still out on that one. However, we do know that the child of an alcoholic is at greater risk for developing alcoholism -- four times greater! This increased risk, sometimes described as a predisposition to alcoholism, is the result of a number of factors including: Biological risk level, Biological response, Initial tolerance, Metabolism Also included in Chapter 7: a more in-depth look at family issues. Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER EIGHT: Recovery ... one day at a time. "I sat and looked around the room.
A lot of these people were just like me."
"One woman talked about how she started
drinking in college. I thought to myself, what about me?" In addition to attending parties and abstaining from alcohol, students in our alcohol-education program are required to attend meetings conducted by Alcoholics Anonymous or other twelve step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous. Twelve step groups are support groups for people who are recovering from alcohol and/or other drug addiction. Another type of twelve step program is Al-Anon, a support group for friends or relatives of addicts. Many students report that attending these meetings was one of the most valuable experiences in their college career. Based on the wide range of types of people attending the meetings, they quickly realize that alcoholism and other drug addictions can happen to anyone. They also learn through Al-Anon that the addictions affect not only the addict but also the family and friends of the addict. Interacting with the people at the meetings provides them with a learning experience they won't forget. It gives them a first-hand look at the devastation caused by addiction -- a devastation that can happen to them if they are not careful about their alcohol and/or other drug use. It personalizes alcoholism. In addition, they learn that there is help and support for those who do develop an addiction or who have loved ones who do. Also included in Chapter 8: Student reactions to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Back to Table of Contents
CHAPTER NINE: High Risk Groups ... Greeks, women and athletes. "Being a member of
a fraternity on campus I believe I have been exposed to more drugs and
alcohol than a non-Greek."
"My girlfriend tries to keep up with
me but I guess she just can't handle her booze."
Members of campus special-interest organizations tend to be very protective of their group's reputation. And, when it comes to alcohol problems on their campus, they like to blame the other groups for the difficulties. Residential Life blames the fraternities and sororities, the Greeks in turn blame the athletes, the athletes blame the alumni, and, of course, everyone blames the first-year students. All groups experience some degree of difficulty regarding alcohol, some more than others. Greeks "Greek life has helped
me with my self-esteem. Our community service not only helps other people
it helps us too."
"The Greeks are getting
a lot smarter. They seem much more concerned. They provide alternative
drinks. They provide escort service for those who need it. Granted they
shouldn't be over-serving
but at least they are making some improvements."
Membership in a fraternity or sorority provides many opportunities for leadership development, academic improvement, socialization, fun, community service and personal growth. Fraternities and sororities can also be the source of a large degree of high risk activity. "If, from an alcohol risk point of view, the college campus is a dangerous place, then the fraternity houses are the 'Bermuda Triangle' of the campus ocean." "Fraternity or sorority members were significantly more likely than other college students to endorse 'less-than-responsible' attitudes about alcohol." If you are interested in membership in a Greek organization be sure to investigate their true character. If drinking alcohol is a primary focus of the organization, then your time spent with your new found sisters or brothers will be wasted. Don't join one simply because it has a reputation for great parties. Speak to other students and administrators about the group. Talk to alumni about what the organization means to them now. Be sure the members of the organization will accept you for who you are -- not who they want you to be or how well you can handle your booze. If you are required to consume alcohol as a part of the membership process, I suggest you look for another organization. The group does not have your best interests in mind. Ninety percent of fraternity and sorority hazing accidents that result in death are related to alcohol use. Also included in Chapter 9: Specil ssues for women and athletes
CHAPTER TEN: Spring Break ... a good time is had by all, maybe. "So spring break
is coming up -- endless hangovers, unwanted calories, spending money
and so many other risks. Actually , I guess spring break is a very dangerous
ritual." "The bars don't
care who's drinking as long as they're making money. My freshman year
I got into every Florida bar and I didn't even have a fake ID. I didn't
need it. At one of the bars the bouncer told my girlfriend that if she
lifted her blouse for him, he'd let her in." "I've
been to Italy, Greece, and England in the past three years. I've traveled
and seen more and spent less than my friends who have gone to Florida
to get drunk! Why don't they just stay home and buy a sunlamp and a
keg?" Responding to clear and persistent public criticism leveled at spring break excesses and at the beer industry's role on students' annual excursions south, breweries have pulled back from sponsoring spring break activities. Missing in 1992 were Miller's "How to Scam Babes" and "Starting Spring Training Early." Nonetheless, there was little reduction in alcohol consumption during spring break 1992. Legal-age drinkers reported consuming an average of ten beers per night during spring break. Spring break is a college ritual long associated with excessive alcohol or other drug use. But at what cost? Researchers found that the daily consumption of five to nine drinks per day (at a rate that kept the BAL lower than .08) for just eight days by non-alcoholic subjects resulted in some signs of liver damage. How much damage is taking place in Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico during spring break? Please remember, if you choose to consume alcohol during spring break, the possible injuries, trauma or sexually transmitted diseases that could occur will follow you home no matter how far away you traveled. Many colleges and universities are now offering alternative spring breaks. Working in a third-world country, building a house through Habitat for Humanity, participating in an archaeological dig are just a few of the possibilities. Speak to your campus community service coordinator about what is available through your institution. If your campus does not conduct an alternative spring break program, contact Break Away. This organization provides information regarding planning programs and placing volunteers with both national and international community organizations. If you're more inclined, try a recreational break of white-water rafting, mountain climbing or bicycle touring. Also included in Chapter 10: Many spring break alternatives
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Advertising ... this Bud's for you. "The sellers of alcohol
should have the right to advertise their product. But, they should be
considerate of who is most likely going to be seeing their ads and who
will be influenced."
"They do have a right
to advertise since it's
a legal drug. We need to educate people about the lies they are selling."
Upon your arrival on the college campus, you became a major target of the alcohol advertising industry. The alcohol industry is counting on you to fuel their sales. After all, they keep killing off their older customers, so they need new ones. The college campus provides fertile ground for new ones:
"Often peer pressure is cited as the primary cause of high risk alcohol consumption on the college campus. But what influences these peers? How are they socialized? The industry's own advertising relies heavily on peer pressure. The rock stars, celebrities and athletes who frolic in the beer commercials serve as 'sample peers' promoting drinking as an integral part of collegiate life. Beer advertising provides an entry level education for youth about the uses and gratification of the product. Positive images consistently link desirable traits to their product and reinforce the association." If you are an average 18- or 19-year-old entering college, you have been viewing nearly one thousand beer, wine and liquor ads in the mass media each year. This advertising promotes the perceived benefits of alcohol consumption. Take a good look at the advertisements for alcohol. Are the images they present consistent with what you view on your campus? Or, are there many more negative outcomes than the industry would like to let you know? Is the portrayal of women in these ads consistent with your beliefs? If not, do you realize that by purchasing these products you are perpetuating the myths they present about alcohol consumption and women? If you are as disturbed by the images presented in alcohol advertising as I am, then I have a suggestion. Have you ever noticed that in every magazine you pick up, there's a bunch of postcards urging you to subscribe to the magazine? Well, send in the card letting the publisher know you would consider subscribing if they would remove the degrading and misleading ads for alcohol. It will cost you nothing if you use their cards. And, you will be making an important statement regarding the portrayal of women in advertising as well as your desire for truth in advertising. Also included in Chapter 11: Advertsing techniques
CHAPTER TWELVE: Other Drugs ... alcohol is not the only danger. "I don't
see much of a difference between marijuana and alcohol. If I had to
choose between getting drunk or getting stoned, I think I would choose
getting stoned." "Pot had a strange effect
on me. I viewed life through a checkerboard, able to see only through
the white squares. While stoned I only saw pieces of life. But then
I started to feel that way even when I wasn't
loaded. I realized this is not how I wanted to experience life."
"Sure there are some
benefits from the hemp plant, but I wouldn't
want to get in a car with someone who just smoked a joint nor would
I want to be on the same road with another driver who just had a couple
of hits on a bong." The dangers of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and the other illicit drugs have been well documented. Therefore, I have focused most of this book on alcohol, because it is clearly the drug of choice for college students. However, marijuana continues to be popular on the college campus. In the 1990-92 Core Survey, 24 percent of the students surveyed reported using marijuana within the past year. The survey also revealed that almost 5 percent use marijuana from one to seven times per week. Keep in mind, however, this means that more than 70 percent did not use marijuana. The question that continually arises when discussing marijuana with students is "What's worse -- alcohol or grass?" This question is usually followed by many of the arguments for legalization presented by the National Organization for the Repeal of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Proponents of the use of marijuana have developed quite a long list of reasons why marijuana should be legalized. The value of the hemp plant (Marijuana or cannabis sativa) as a source for good rope, the use of marijuana for the relief of the illness associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients, pot's ability to relieve the pressure on the eye for glaucoma patients are just some of the usual arguments raised for the legalization of marijuana. I'll leave that argument to the sociologists, politicians and law enforcers. What you need to ask yourself is this, "Are the risks or the consequences worth it?" Here are some of the results of the latest research on marijuana. Marijuana contains approximately four hundred active chemical ingredients with more than 2,000 separate metabolites found in the body after smoking marijuana. Researchers are still unclear as to how many of these affect the mind and/or body. The most psychoactive ingredient -- that which is most responsible for producing the "high" -- is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream almost immediately after smoking. Once in the bloodstream, THC is absorbed by, stored in and gradually released from the fatty cells throughout the body. Each dose of THC has a half-life of between three and seven days, depending on the potency of the marijuana and its interaction with the user's system. One great concern about marijuana is that it persists in the body for up to six months after a single joint is smoked, though the major effects disappear within four to six hours after smoking. These residual amounts in the body may disrupt some physiological functions for a much longer period -- though research is skimpy on this point.
Asking whether alcohol or marijuana is worse is like asking whether it is better to be attacked by a tiger or a bear. Both might result in very serious consequences. Once again, ask yourself, "Are the risks or the consequences worth it?" Also included in Chapter 12: Further information about marijuana and other drugs including stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics, PCP, and inhalants
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Success ... it's up to you. "If students started
to realize they have to please themselves in order to be happy then
their lives would be so much more fulfilling. We take into account too
much of other people's
views and beliefs. We live by them instead of living by our own values
and it's really rather sad." "I've
started taking road trips on the weekends for the sole reason of getting
away from the party scene. It's just become so boring and monotonous.
I'm sick of coming home drunk every Friday and Saturday night and waking
up the next morning hungover. There's so much more to life." "I know that my friends
on many occasions say they have to stop drinking. This is usually Sunday
afternoon after drinking for three days. So they don't
drink until Thursday again. When Thursday comes around they think they
have done something good. They reward themselves by going out and drinking.
I think this is ridiculous because three out of seven days they spend
lying around the house wanting to do nothing except watch television
and sleep." Colleges and universities across the country are implementing a variety of alcohol and other drug education and abuse prevention programs. Some have been extremely beneficial, while others have met with limited success. Regardless of what your institution is doing, you can make the kinds of decisions that will minimize or eradicate the impact of high risk alcohol consumption in your life. What I've tried to do in this book is educate you about the effects alcohol can have on your college career. You now know what alcohol is, how much alcohol is in a drink, how alcohol has affected many students' lives or the lives of their families, what the parties are sometimes like and so on. But what about you? How will you use this information? Hopefully you now realize that the decision to drink alcohol or not while in college is a serious one. When facing this decision, consider the following:
If you have chosen to drink, continually monitor your consumption:
One of the most effective and informative alcohol education programs available to college students has been developed by the Prevention Research Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. The "On Campus Talking About Alcohol" curriculum has been enthusiastically received by many college students across the country. If this course is not available on your campus, speak to your administrators. Let them know you are concerned about the presence of alcohol problems on your campus. Let them know you would like to have this program made available to all students, faculty and staff. GET REAL College can provide you with wonderful opportunities to expand your horizons as a human being. You are the only person, however, who can make this happen. And, it can happen if you GET REAL: Goals: Developing specific long-term and short-term goals will give you focus and direction. Consider what would you like to be doing in ten years. Five years. During the next year. Consider what you need to do to accomplish your long range goals. When faced with important day-to-day decisions, ask yourself how your alternatives fit into the attainment of your goals. By listing and committing to your goals, choices about alcohol consumption will be much easier to make. Education: Your primary reason for being in college is to become better educated -- don't lose sight of that. Academics are your number-one priority. When making decisions about courses, examine how they fit into your goals. And, a large portion of your education will take place beyond the classroom walls and the library stacks. Be sure you place yourself in an environment where your experiences will contribute to the accomplishment of your goals. Tradition: Most colleges have a rich history of tradition and school spirit. Become a part of it. Intercollegiate athletics provide one way to get involved with your school. However, if your school specializes in research, learn about its important contributions to science. Learn about famous graduates. Also, attend cultural events including plays, concerts, debates and other presentations. It may sound trite, but developing a sense of school spirit and knowing the fine traditions of your school will help you feel more connected not only to your school but also your peers. Responsibility: It is time for you to take responsibility for your own life. You can no longer blame your parents, your teachers, your friends or anyone else for your difficulties. Take charge of your life and pursue your goals. Enthusiasm: Whatever you choose to do in college, do it enthusiastically. Study hard, work hard and play hard. College will mean more to you if you make a commitment to all your endeavors. Associate with successful students, faculty and staff. Remember success breeds success. Activities: Seek out new, exciting and enriching activities and people. Don't get caught in a rut filled with the same old parties and the same old drinking. There's plenty to do on campus and in the surrounding community. Reaching out to others through community service-oriented activities will provide you with memories and inspiration that will last a lifetime. Love: Your life will be more profoundly satisfying and your interactions with others will be much more meaningful if you follow the fundamental guiding principle of "Love your neighbor as yourself." And, opening your heart to God or your understanding of a Higher Power will comfort you during some of the difficult times you may experience while in college. Your choice to pursue a spiritual path, and the love that pursuit can generate, are the most important aspects of human existence. If your family has a religious heritage which has been lost, talk to your parents, grandparents, great grandparents or family friends about the impact of its loss. If you practiced a particular religion prior to college, don't abandon it -- celebrate it! Also included in Chapter 13: Dealing with peer pressure, Party Strategies, Alternative Activities
When I discuss alcohol and other drug use with my students and students across the country, I acknowledge my own excessive alcohol and other drug use while in college. I discuss the pleasures and the problems I experienced as a result of those excessive indulgences. More often than not, a student will say "Jim, that's not fair! You had your fun and now you're trying to ruin ours!" First of all, get used to it. Life is not fair. When I was in college, society was somehow unaware of, or actually denied, the true toll that alcohol-related car crashes were having on our generation. When I was in college, sex was not a death-defying feat. We considered safe sex as having a girlfriend who was on the pill. When I was in college most of us considered pot harmless. Is it fair that we now have stricter DUI laws? Is it fair that you need to consider the possibility of AIDS every time you have a sexual encounter? Is it fair that we now know that marijuana is even more harmful than we ever suspected in the sixties? No, it's not fair. But, life is not fair. Yes I did have some great times in college. But I have also paid a very dear price for it. There has been a great deal of pain and difficulty in my life that is not noticeable now. Yes, I learned a great deal about myself through this pain, but I wish I had gained this self-awareness through more constructive means. I'm not sure whether or not I will ever really reach my true potential as a person -- and I'll never know. There were so many lost years. No one is trying to ruin your fun. My goal and the goal of most campus prevention specialists is to enlighten you as to the many serious risks associated with alcohol and other drug use. With this enlightenment we also want to provide you with the alternatives and skills needed to help you avoid the problems associated with alcohol and other drug use. This book began with some words of wisdom from a student. It seems appropriate to end with them also: "Don't let the time of your life ruin the rest of your life." |
Copyright© 1998-2003 Jim Matthews
Questions? Contact Jim at jim@beerboozebooks.com or
215-766-0727
Page Last Updated 8/27/2003