There are many definitions associated with alcohol and
alcohol abuse in general that need to be clarified. Most
college students think of alcohol as that cheap high they get to obtain on the weekends at social events. Knowing what alcohol really is and what exactly it can do to your body in excessive amounts over time and in any one sitting is one of the main problems with why
college students abuse alcohol. The actual definition of alcohol is a “liquid distilled product of fermented fruits, grains, and vegetables used as a solvent, antiseptic and sedative” (Drinking: A
Students Guide, 2001). The possible effects of alcohol include intoxication, sensory alteration, and anxiety reduction. Symptoms of overdose include staggering, loss of coordination, slurred speech, dilated pupils, and nerve and liver damage. Indications of possible misuse include confusion, disorientation, convulsions, shock, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and possible death (Drinking: A
Students Guide, 2001). Most
college students will say they know what alcohol can do to them, but they continue to drink excessively because it’s the social norm. Furthermore
college students are confused as to what is considered
alcohol abuse and simply alcoholism. The confusion between the definitions of
alcohol abuse and alcoholism leads to many misconceptions or myths among
college students about alcoholics. College students who
abuse alcohol seem to be able to drink excessively each and every weekend and consider themselves not to be alcoholics or not in endanger of becoming alcoholics. College students who are binge or excessive drinkers are able to avoid being labeled an alcoholic because it’s so socially acceptable in college to drink and drink often. The distinction is that “when drinking begins to interfere with any aspect of a person’s life it’s considered
alcohol abuse. And when drinking becomes addictive, either psychologically or physically, it’s considered alcoholism. Alcohol abuse, if left untreated, can very easily progress into alcoholism” (Drinking: A
Students Guide, 2001). In response to this fact most
college students come up with the myth that people who are morally weak or have emotional problems are the only ones who can become alcoholics. Whereas the truth is that “
