...Norming of Alcohol Consumption in College Paul Vieira Daniel Webster College Abstract In colleges all around America alcohol consumption by college students is becoming normal. This drinking is happening mostly in the students’ dorm rooms on campus. Students are unaware of the negative effects of alcohol and usually participate in binge drinking, which for men is having more than five drinks in one occasion, and for women is having four or more drinks. In order to help prevent alcohol consumption, the colleges themselves must have guidelines in place to inform people about the dangers of alcohol. Strict alcohol rules such as complying with the 21 year old drinking age are also more hands on activities colleges can engage in to stop drinking. The Norming of Alcohol Consumption in College For many students, college is a new experience where they have to make their own decisions about their daily lives. For many students at first it is a difficult adjustment to move away from family and friends and have to deal with this. With this newly found freedom more and more students will consume alcohol on a regular basis. According to the University of Villanova, “Nationally, a very large majority, about 80 percent, of college students uses alcohol” (Villanova). This drinking is mostly happening on the college campuses inside of the students dorm rooms, or at another place on campus. Though colleges do not endorse drinking for students under the legal drinking age, students find...
Words: 2769 - Pages: 12
...Carlton WRT202 29 April, 2013 Making College Policy Stricter Due to Alcohol Consequences Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious problem on college campuses. Students are divided into groups known as light, moderate, and heavy drinkers. While consuming alcohol a light drinker will have one to four drinks, a moderate drinker will have between five and nine drinks, and a heavy consumer may have ten or more drinks in a single session. Kevin E. O’Gradey, a professor who earned his Ph. D. in 1980 from the University of Connecticut, states, “Heavy drinkers could be differentiated from moderate and light drinkers on age of onset of alcohol use, illicit drug use, and frequency of illicit drug use”. The consumption of five or more drinks in a row for males or four or more for females at least once in a two-week period is defined as binge drinking. Binge drinking is associated with the use of a variety of other illicit drugs. The College Alcohol Study, which includes thousands of students from 119 different colleges, states, “a strong relationship is observed between the frequency of binge drinking and past-year use of marijuana . . . amphetamines, LSD, other hallucinogens . . . with frequent binge drinkers being the most likely to have reported use of these other drugs in the past year” (O’Gradey). Heavy alcohol use by college students remains as much of a current public health concern today as it was a decade ago. The consumption of alcohol has many physical, sexual, social, and...
Words: 2509 - Pages: 11
...the act of heavy alcohol consumption with the primary intention of becoming inebriated, happens almost everywhere, especially in college during early adulthood. Binge drinking is especially popular with male college students in fraternities or at social gatherings, and it has developed into an issue for some college faculty and communities. Drinking and consuming alcohol amongst college students is just about as common as study sessions in the library; however not every college student whom consumes alcohol is binge drinking. Binge drinking among college students has been going on for decades, but only recently has it become a widely discussed issue. Many college students who participate in binge drinking do not know the immediate risks in heavy alcohol consumption, or the adverse long-term effects of intense alcohol abuse. According to Wechsler, “A recent study conducted for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated that over 1800 college students 18-24 years of age died from alcohol related injuries in the past year”(31). These alcohol related deaths do not necessarily indicate that the person who died had been consuming alcohol or let alone binge drinking; this means that any death where an alcoholic beverage was found could be classified as an alcohol related death. Thus rendering drinking combined with any other activity as the “big problem”, but who is to blame when these accidents or injuries occur? Do we blame the college student involved in the...
Words: 782 - Pages: 4
...Drugs and College Students Victoria Lyles-Savage Professor Stone SOW 301-01 Drugs and College Student In today’s society there are a number of college students and teens, who misuse prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons along with street drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, heroin and steroids. Drugs and alcohol use on college campuses is universal. This has been an epidemic that has grown across the United States. According to Yusko,Buckman, White, and Pandina; alcohol and drug use in college is one of the more serious problems faced by colleges today .Another study stated that 90 percent of teens said they have used alcohol, over 50 percent have used marijuana, 17 percent used cocaine and 13 percent have used some form of hallucinogenic drug. Athletes are at risk to drug use because of the increased physical demand of athletics and heightens stress and time constraints placed upon them by fulfilling the dual role of being an athlete and student (Yusko, Buckman, White, Pandina, 2008). Peer pressure in itself is an epidemic and strongly impacts nonathletic individuals as well. The use of prescriptions drugs for nonmedical use is higher than are use of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and inhalants all combined. Prescription Opioids result in more drug abuse deaths than both cocaine and heroin combined (Katelyn Rozenbroek& Rothstein, 2011).There are a lot of factors that drive teens and college students to turn to drugs and alcohol. The highest rates of...
Words: 1740 - Pages: 7
...and non-traditional college students, ages 18-24? Stephenson, Shamiya Dr. Gray Seminar in Sociology 12.8.2013 Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........…….3 Chapter I…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...........3 Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter II …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………..…..4 Literature Review……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………5 Theoretical Framework………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Chapter III…………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………..………..9 Methodology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Findings…………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………….…………………………11 Conclusion…………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Works Cited….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 Survey…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..16 Informed Consent………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..20 Annotated Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21 Abstract This research shows how binge drinking impacts college students peer relationships. Binge drinking is defined as the most common excessive method of drinking in the United States. This type of drinking brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration to 0.08...
Words: 4049 - Pages: 17
...“Too Many Colleges are in Denial about Alcohol Abuse” and “The Battle of the Binge” “Too Many Colleges are in Denial about Alcohol Abuse” and “The Battle of the Binge” are both two unique pieces of writing that dig deep into the aspects of consuming alcohol, and drinking too much of it, referred to as “binge drinking.” They acknowledge the fact that drinking alcohol itself in proper moderation is not bad, but the abuse of alcohol is. “Too Many Colleges are in Denial about Alcohol Abuse” is similar to “The Battle of the Binge” by pinpointing drinking in college specifically, and stressing the problems related to binge drinking and how the change is going to be difficult; however, “Too Many Colleges are in Denial about Alcohol Abuse” is different from “The Battle of the Binge” by the using logos more predominantly throughout the entirety of the essay and placing less emphasis on personal experience than “The Battle of the Binge.” Both essays are similar to each other because they both focus on students drinking while in college, rather than in a different stage of life. They explain that there is a consistent and problematic rise of binge drinking in universities. In “Too Many Colleges are Still in Denial about Alcohol Abuse,” it is stated that “colleges have a serious problem with alcohol abuse among students, and it is not getting any better” and a survey by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching found that “college presidents viewed alcohol abuse as their...
Words: 1203 - Pages: 5
...crave for alcohol despite of repeated alcohol-related problems. The signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself - they are in denial. Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include, drinking alone, not being able to limit how much alcohol is consumed, dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them, feeling an urge to drink, having relationship problems, having problems with the law, having money problems, and requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect (Videbeck, 2007). Alcoholism does not only affect the adults. According to Sociological theory, alcoholism is a learned response. This often happens at a young age. A child may see things around them or on TV of people drinking and they tend to believe that is the right thing to do. This addiction is primarily believed to be because of society's influences. This often will affect persons who mostly drink in groups. This theory is based more on the peer pressure a person might receive, so they often turn to alcohol drinking problems during college years. Moreover, it has become a public health concern because of its effect on the future of a child. The goal of the current study is to assess the primary psychosocial factors that predict problem drinking among college students. Variables...
Words: 8613 - Pages: 35
...and health on college campuses today. The journal article pertaining to this issue, How Harvard’s College Alcohol Study Can Help Your Campus Design a Campaign Against Student Alcohol Abuse (CAS: Campus Alcohol Study for short), focuses more heavily on binge drinking and prevention than it does on the Greek system itself. The authors, Wechsler, Nelson, and Weitzman, contend that binge drinking is a nationally recognized problem but has not been studied efficiently enough to warrant effective prevention plans. The purpose of this article is to share with the public the results of a survey representing 50,000 students in 140 colleges, in 39 states. This is the first nationally representative survey of its kind and the analysis of its outcome by the authors of this article has resulted in seemingly sound prevention ideas. To begin interpreting the binge drinking phenomenon, a solid understanding of the term must be presented. Binge drinking is defined by all the articles as consuming five or more drinks in rapid succession (four or more for women) at least once in a two week period. Shockingly, the College Alcohol Study (CAS) found that two out of every five college students binge drink. The authors of this article argue that binge drinking has negative effects not only on the drinkers, but also on the entire student body. The binge drinker might get alcohol poisoning, other related physical injuries, or weakened academic performance, while the non-binging students are subjected to...
Words: 1577 - Pages: 7
...Hangover: Binge Drinking in College Drinking on college campuses, it happens. Just “drinking” isn’t enough, and binge or excessive drinking has become a social phenomenon… and in the eyes of college students, not a problem. Whether it is health risks, academic consequences, or social issues that may be caused due to binge drinking, it is not healthy for students. The Other Hangover is an anti-binge drinking campaign targeting college students nationwide. With the slogan “Put down the beer to keep your mind clear”, The Other Hangover is attempting end binge drinking one student at a time. What is causing binge drinking? Well it’s simply the thing to do in college. Students widely believe that alcohol makes them a better and more social person. In a nationwide survey done by CORE, students reported binge drinking to; enhance social activity, have something to do, have more fun, facilitate a connection with peers, break the ice, and have something to talk about. (CORE, 2011) The act of drinking alcohol is not exactly the problem, legal or not. The main problem is the act of binge drinking of college students, legal age or not. There are many students who binge drink and don’t see a problem with it. Many students don’t see an issue with drinking 10 shots and 7 beers in one night, and that is the problem. Due to social and media influence, drinking to the point of illness and possible hospital trip is the “cool” thing to do. After taking a trip to the ER for alcohol poisoning, binge drinking...
Words: 1130 - Pages: 5
... Objective: The author's purpose in this review was to systematically examine scientific literature addressing the effect of Greek affiliation on alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors. The internal and external influences affecting Greek members' alcohol-related beliefs and behaviors are organized into a frame-work of various health behavior theories, based on the ecological perspective's levels of influence.Results: Results provide a broad perspective into the individual characteristics, social peer network, and environmental aspects influencing alcohol-related behavior among Greek members. Findings suggest that Greek members comprise a subgroup that consumes alcohol in greater quantities, underscores and misperceives the risks of alcohol abuse, and emulates a social environment and culture in which drinking alcohol is a key part of life. Problem drinking during the college years is a significant public health concern. The goal of the current review was to examine the primary psychosocial factors that predict problem drinking in college students. Variables examined included demographic variables, personality, drinking history, alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, stress and coping, activity involvement, and peer and family influence. Evidence from studies of college drinking indicated that the variables associated with college drinking seem to vary at levels dealing with one's personality and coping mechanisms, one's thought processes about drinking, and the environment....
Words: 1894 - Pages: 8
...excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. In the US, binge drinking is defined as consumption of five and above units of alcohol for a man or four and more units of alcohol for a lady in a single session. This term can also be termed as heavy binge drinking especially when it occurs more than twice in a week of more than thrice within a period of two weeks (Wechsler, Henry, and Toben F. Nelson, 2006). Almost 80% of alcohol consumption by youths is in a form of binge drinks. The most affected age is the age between 18 and 24, of which many these youths are college students. From a research, one of the big cause of binge drinking is by influence usually by adverts from beverage (alcoholic) companies. These companies put the adverts in a way that it seems attractive and fun to drink much, among the youths. Again peer pressure plays a big role in the cause of binge drinking among youths especially college guys. Other causes may be due to curiosity i.e. they want to be aware how someone feels when drunk, believing that someone feels so good when he or she is drunk (Cranford, James A., Sean Esteban McCabe, and Carol J. Boyd, 2006). Also due to some believes that one can reduce stress by taking alcohol push students to alcohol drinking mostly towards or after an exam. As per the latest report by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about four in a group of five college students take alcohol. Also, more than 50% of those who take alcohol consume it by binge...
Words: 705 - Pages: 3
...Drinking alcohol on college campuses might be against the universities’ policies but that does not stop it from happening. Thousands of college students partake in the activity of consuming alcohol while attending college parties, where drinking alcohol at college parties has grown into a social norm and while it might be all fun an games, it is one that needs to be stopped. Drinking alcohol might appear to be fun and all but it can lead to some devastating consequences, including: increased risk of rape, sleep depravations and many other negative effects that effect your performance in your classes. In order for college students to follow the universities policies and not drink on campus, one must be willing to follow the rules and accept that it is not as cool as they think to drink large amounts of alcohol, understanding that it is not a smart and healthy choice to partake in the activity of consuming large amounts of alcohol and that the university only has these policies in place to better further the safety and quality of the students life while on campus. Drinking at college parties has become a very well known social norm and is one that is destroying the lives of many...
Words: 1457 - Pages: 6
...under 21 and drink? I’ve heard that college is supposed to be the best four years of your life—we have classes that assign heavy workloads, work-study during the week, on the weekends we get to let loose and “turn up”, and that we will meet some of the best people here, along with finding out who we really are. Some of us think college is like what movies portray them; everybody’s drinking, smoking, and partying, with very little studying and barely any homework. The realities of college don’t set in until students encounter the coursework that presumably consume their time. Until then, college students tend to have more fun than they usually would back home because of the lack of parental supervision. During the first few weeks of college, students, especially freshmen, are at the highest risk of alcohol-related harm. With the pressures of classes and social acceptance, freshmen feel more anxious about making their way into the college life. "We see a spike then because anxiety is high, and the rigors of coursework haven't yet taken hold” (Cleveland). The drinking problem starts with the way college is portrayed—as a life that revolves around alcohol. Freshmen come in expecting it to be that way, so behave that way, the excessive drinking and reckless behavior are all mirrored from movies and media. According to national surveys conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, 44 percent of all college students binge drink and many suffer alcohol-induced blackouts. Scott Walters...
Words: 1018 - Pages: 5
...Drinking at College Games Drinking at College Games Joel Jordan Troy University Abstract The article, Blood (Breath) Alcohol Consumption Rates of College Football Fans on Game Day, was a quantitative research used to measure the consumption of alcohol drinking of Midwest college student during a home football game. This type of research was performed by having 536 college students, during tailgating, to only drink alcohol within a designated area within the college grounds. This article provided the various ways to lower the college students’ binge drinking by controlling the tailgating drinking areas. Drinking at College Games The purpose of this study was to provide the study of consumption of alcohol among large Midwest university students during the tailgating of home football games. This article sought to validate the time series study design of 599 people that were drinking during the college home games while tailgating. Glassman, Braun, Reindl, and Whewell believed that if there were specific areas labeled only for drinking and tailgating, that they could control the large consumption of alcohol among the individuals. There was also the assumption that it would not control the heavy consumption of alcohol, because individuals that wanted to entertain themselves by drinking would no matter what was being enforced on the universities grounds. Studies indicated drinking rate increase on game day when compared to other social occasions among students and other...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...explore associations between heavy college drinking and common health behaviors such as exercise, dieting, and sleep patterns. Binge drinking on college campuses is a common issue across the country that can unfortunately lead young adults on progressively damaging and expensive trajectories. The main focus surrounding binge drinking and college students has always been heavily focused on the more high-risk short-term consequences (e.g., physical/sexual assault, unintentional injury, motor vehicle collisions, ETC). Although these are severe community health issues, patterns in excessive college drinking may also portray information about lifestyle factors (e.g., exercise, diet, sleep), both present and future....
Words: 1675 - Pages: 7
