It's been an urban myth for some time now that college students drink. According to www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov 60 percent of students aged 18-22 confessed to drinking alcohol within the past month. Although not all students accounted for in the study are technically 'of legal drinking age,' it seems that alcohol isn't too scarce a resource on campus. Being surrounded with the substance, I've found that many people drink much more due to the accessibility of alcohol. That being said, if you do choose to drink, you should have some understanding between the differences of drinking to socialize and drinking to get f***ed up.

In my personal opinion, one of the best ways I've heard alcohol described is "an escape mechanism." For those that get wasted time and time again, and haven't yet been discouraged by the repercussions of the habit, they could be at risk for some serious backlash. Falling into the habit of drinking a lot, and drinking regularly, can be a serious issue.

I know that when some students choose to drink, and actively decide to drink large quantities, there's some prevailing issues in their lives that I'm choosing to ignore. Unfortunately, by dodging my issues, they don't disappear. In fact, as soon as they sober up the following day and take some Advil for their terrible headache, they're back to square one and all of their problems remain as prevalent as ever. Drinking doesn't solve problems and can more likely create more problems than anything else.

Then there are the times where you sip on a drink in someone's dorm room or house as you converse with friends doing the same. This is the 'drinking to fit in' or social drinking. Social drinking is usually regarded as a healthy mediator for both communication and alcohol consumption. Drinking in social situations is an acceptable form of public intoxication, and it is often considered the norm for those environments. The only time social drinking could potentially cause an issue is when the social events become more about alcohol consumption than about social engagement.

As soon as you cross the threshold of caring more about the alcohol than the friends that you're drinking with, you encounter a problem. This is a form of alcohol dependency and can lead to a future of despair and loneliness. Students often use their 'student' status as a means of justifying their actions, which is fine as long as it doesn't become a lifestyle.

Let's face it, almost everyone drinks. Most everyone has gone through phases of drinking more. As long as you are able to get along without alcohol being a necessity in your daily routine, or you can live your life without letting the alcohol define you, you're doing just fine. Just remember to stay safe out there. If you're in college, I guarantee that there will be many more drunken nightly adventures, and in all honesty, that is a part of the college experience. As long as you always remain aware of your safety and the safety of others drinking within your proximity, have a good time and try not to let alcohol control your life.