Binge Drinking becoming an all too common problem
Jesse Mock
Most college students only fear the hangover that comes after binge drinking, but they do not realize there are far worse things to fear.Binge drinking has become an all too common occurrence on college campuses nationwide and it has been taking its toll on students’ lives.
Christa Adams, a counselor and sponsor of MCC’s prevention program, is aware of the effects of binge drinking.
Adams cited a study that showed the average college student drinks more than 34 gallons of alcohol each year.
Adams explained that two-year college students tend to drink less than four-year institution students, but seem to suffer more serious consequences.
These more serious consequences include DUI, suicidal thoughts, and possibly death.
Adams believes that two-year college students trying to balance work, school, and families can lead to them binge drinking.
“MCC is a microcosm of the community and reflects that same self-defeating behavior you see in the nation and the rest of the world when it comes to binge drinking,” Adams said.
MCC student April Small, said she binge drinks on occasion and has seen some negative effects in her life.
“Since I have started to binge drink, I have noticed my grades slipping a bit because of lack of studying or just not doing all of my homework,” Small said.
Adams said that Small’s decrease in school performance is common and as the consumption rate of alcohol goes up, most students’ grades go down.
The number one reason that students drop out of college is alcohol and drug use, according to Adams.
Small has seen some physical effects that binge drinking has caused her such as she always feels tired from not sleeping well and has put on some extra weight.
“I can tell that my body is not taking the binging very well, I know it is telling me to stop binging, but I still do it every once in awhile.” Small said.
Small explained that the main reason she binge drinks is because she likes to play drinking games that occur at a lot of college parties.
Adams believes students engaging in these drinking games are setting themselves up to suffer some severe consequences.
“Students don’t realize how fast death can occur when abusing alcohol. They are just focused on winning the game,” Adams said.
Chris Moore used to binge drink at least once a week, but has cut back after wrecking his truck while driving drunk.
“That was the breaking point when I realized I had a serious problem and needed to stop,” Moore said.
Moore had to go to mandatory alcohol classes as part of his punishment for his DUI and the classes showed him how much alcohol was ruining people’s lives.
Adams believes that until a person stops abusing alcohol all together, he or she is still in danger of suffering dire consequences.
“Alcohol is a progressive disease. You can either stop abusing it or allow it to kill you. It can only end one of the two ways,” Adams said.
