What are drinking problems? How serious is alcohol abuse among young people? What is the trend in drunk driving? What help is available for alcoholism?

To some college students, heavy drinking that leads to vomiting is not alcohol abuse but simply having a good time and being "one of the gang." Drinking alcohol is not a good outlet for people, including young people.

Students need to know what alcohol abuse can do to them. College can be an exciting, enriching experience. To help ensure that it will be, students and their parents will want to choose a college that encourages students' academic and social development and promotes campus and community safety.

The rate of alcoholism at colleges is 60.5 % had study or sleep interrupted and 53.6 % had to take care of a drunken student and 29.3 % had been insulted or humiliated because of alcohol.

Twenty percent experienced an unwanted sexual advance (women) and 18.6 % had a serious argument or quarrel, 13.6 % had damaged property and 9.5 % had been pushed, hit, or assaulted and 1.3 % had been a victim of sexual assault or date rape (women).

Drinking on campus at colleges is very dangerous because being on a campus and drinking can persuade other students to start drinking and it’s not good for their health.

Questions that you should ask yourself are….

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Could Dinking affect the life of you and your friends?

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Does your drinking worry your family or friends?

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Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?

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Have you ever been in trouble because of your drinking?

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Do you ever borrow money or go without things in order to buy alcohol?

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Is drinking hurting your reputation?

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Do you feel a sense of power when drinking?

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Do you ever drink until your supply is gone?

Something that you should promise yourself…is to NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL



Source: "College Binge Drinking in the 1990s: A Continuing Problem. Results of the Harvard School of Public Health 1999 College Alcohol Study." Journal of American College Health, 48 (March 2000): 208.