college drinking problem drown student priorities

Alcohol's presence on college campuses puts a strain on students'opportunitiesto TheNationalInstituteofAlcoholAbuseandAlcoholism(NIAAA)defines

At other times, poor consumption habits can cause weight gain, often during a student's first year at college. Hence the infamous term, "the freshman 15."

The freshman 15 is not prejudiced to any race, gender or religion. This, weight gain and body image are touchy subjects in colleges nationwide.

"Alcohol doesn't make you your normal self," Jen Andersen, a 21-year-old SCC architectural design major, said. "If you start to feel self-conscious about weight or you're scrounging up money to buy alcohol when you know you should be spending it on things you need, take a step and decide - is this really affecting me more than I'm presently thinking right now?"

Zenna-Valgento said alcoholism enables those who have low self-esteem to turn to alcohol in an effort to numb the pain and escape their everyday life. The dependent usage of alcohol furthers damage to one's self image and reinforces negative beliefs. They see alcohol as a temporary release from any suffering, bad feelings and problems that they are having while incoherently sabotaging additional areas of life.

"If you use it on a daily basis, if you feel you're a better person when you drink, or if you feel it adds to your life or you personality in any way, it's out of proportion," Zenna-Valgento said.

Family Matters

Increasingdependenceonalcoholdiminishesanindividuals'capabilityto elevate self-esteem. Alcoholism can lead to social isolation or uncontrolled behavior.

"I've seen some people get violent when they get drunk and I've seen people get overly friendly when drunk," Fowler said. "Alcohol just changes everything."

While intoxicated, young adults are at a higher risk of making mistakes and making fools of themselves. An individuals' perceptions of his or her actions are askew if they constantly drink. Even after making mistakes, many feel misunderstood and abandoned, which is a sign of an alcoholic.

"Alcohol affects all dynamics of any relationships," Zenna-Valgento said. "As people break down and become less able to handle their own requirements for daily living, they depend on family and friends more."

When someone experiences problems with alcohol, the negative effects of drinking take a toll on the drinker and also on those close to them, such as family members and friends.

Recent studies by the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACAA) have shown that almost one in five adults, averaging to about 18 percent, lived with an alcoholic while growing up.

"Alcoholism is detrimental to families," Fowler said. "You hear the stories about alcoholics getting violent or depressed, and in a family, that would screw everything up".

Losing touch with society or interest in what others are doing indicates a big red flag, often thrown up by those going down the wrong path.

Distortion of priorities is a common sign of alcoholism, and when liquor comes before family, friends, grades and a sober lifestyle, consequences of loss of self or others can have a serious effect on one's drive.

Grade Point Average

Credibility as a student and as an aspiring professional is sacrificed by the desire to indulge in what could be considered less-honorable traditions.

Missing class, performing poorly on tests or projects and facing disciplinary issues, among other problems, can surface upon diving too deep into alcohol.