As the prevalence of a heavy drinking culture in higher academia reveals, many university students seem to believe alcohol isn’t a problem. In reality, bodies like the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, recognize harmful drinking as a serious public health issue. By NIH estimates, two-thirds of the college students who consume alcohol engage in binge drinking, and more than 1,800 between the ages of 18 and 24 die yearly. How can you stay safe when such dangers are so widespread? Falling prey to the ills of alcohol abuse isn’t a foregone conclusion. Here are some tips that might make your college years less hazardous.
Don't Drink at All
Minimizing your contact with alcohol is the best way to avoid harmful routines that might be more difficult to stop later. Many students get into the habit of drinking to celebrate weekends or the completion of tough exams. Eventually, your Friday evening trips to the bar start occurring on other days of the week. Not drinking may seem difficult, considering that around 80 percent of all college students report using alcohol, but it’s not impossible to find kindred spirits around campus. Some dorms even have sections devoted to students who commit to sobriety.
Give Yourself Something Else to Do
Although college is notorious for being a stressful, busy time, it’s up to you what you decide to incorporate into your routine. From working out at student center gyms to going on hikes, bike rides, and walks, most campuses offer a range of ways to occupy yourself that don’t involve high-risk situations like parties. Picking up a creative hobby that doesn’t have anything to do with your primary academic focus is a good start. Some students focus so intensely on their studies that they don’t invest time in cultivating non-alcohol-related social skills. Instead of leaving yourself with a limited number of options for relaxing, make your drinking-free life easier by staying well-rounded with new hobbies and new groups of friends.
Understand Your Limits
For many students, college is a time to experiment and try new things. If your list of novel experiences includes alcohol, it’s important to remember that not everyone is the same. For instance, your gender, physical size, and metabolism all impact how alcohol affects you. According to Altus Treatment, even your genetics can play a role in how addiction to alcohol might take effect. Students who ignore these factors and drink to compete with friends or keep up with the crowd at bars are almost sure to get themselves into trouble. If you must consume alcohol, plan ahead first by doing so in a safe environment where driving and other risky behaviors aren’t a factor.
Watch Out for Other Drinkers
Your own drinking isn’t the only risk associated with alcohol. Being around others who drink to excess is also a dangerous proposition. For instance, you obviously shouldn’t get into a car with a driver who has consumed any amount of alcohol. Attending loud house parties with lots of drunk students or strangers also places you at risk of being caught by the police or sanctioned by your school’s administration.
The NIH reports that almost 700,000 students become victims of assaults committed by their intoxicated peers each year. Just under 100,000 experience sexual violence. Although hanging out with those who practice unsafe drinking is already dangerous, going into such situations when you’re under the influence may be even more hazardous.
Finally, bear in mind that college alcohol consumption isn’t always a problem you can ignore. NIH statistics show that one in five students qualify as having alcohol use disorders. For some, options like interventions or alcohol and drug rehabilitation may be the best ways to turn over a new, healthier leaf.
