Drinking at college is often glorified in movies and encouraged through the “party culture” pervasive at many colleges and universities. In this kind of atmosphere, students are more likely to engage in unhealthy drinking activities, assuming it is a normal part of the college experience. What many students don’t realize is that excessive drinking can lead to severe health and safety risks as well as the possibility of addiction. If you or someone you care about is struggling with binge drinking, get in touch with us now for help.
Excessive drinking over a short amount of time is known as binge drinking. In order to be considered a “binge,” the drinker’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must reach or exceed 0.08 grams per 100 grams of blood. This usually happens when a man consumes 5 or more drinks or a woman consumes 4 or more drinks over the course of about 2 hours.
Approximately 2 out of every 5 college students of all ages (more than 40 percent) reported binge drinking at least once in the 2 weeks prior.
While some college students may claim they’re only trying to have a good time, patterns of excessive drinking can be dangerous and lead to devastating consequences.
The negative effects of excessive drinking are as serious as they are widespread. The following annual statistics apply to college students between the ages of 18 to 24, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
Binge drinking can be particularly damaging to college students struggling with loneliness and depression. Excessive drinking will only worsen these feelings, and can lead to cyclical drinking behavior.
Other reasons college students turn to alcohol include:
Nishan Foundation focuses on providing the most effective, evidence-based treatment, exceeding expectations by paying close attention to four key therapeutic principles