Attitudes of the Culture:  

                        COLLEGE STUDENTS

Alcohol & College Students

Entering college can be an exciting time with new experiences and a new found freedom. Gaining independence can come with some big responsibility and choices than can affect your future. Four out of five college students consume alcohol at some point during their college life. Up to 50% of college students engage in binge drinking by consuming too much alcohol in too little of a time frame. (Carol Glabicsek,2019)The availability of alcohol at sporting events or social gatherings can make it hard for a young person to say no. It can become very tempting for young people. Many will drink within the first six weeks of their freshman year. Many fall under peer pressure and begin a bad cycle of drinking. Binge drinking for men is consuming 5 or more alcoholic  drinks in 2 hours while for women it is consuming 4 or more drinks in 2 hours. (Carol Glabicsek, 2019) Over the last couple decades college students started consuming hard liquor over beer. Some are not drinking to socialize but are drinking to get drunk with the end goal to drink as much as they can. (Carol Glabicsek, 2019) These toxic behaviors can lead to blackouts and even alcohol poisoning.

Binge drinking effects male & female. Retrieved from blog.frontiersin.org

Alcohol & binge drinking. Retrieved from downtowndentalnashville.com

Effects of College Drinking

Drinking in college can get in the way of your goals. For some drinking begins to become a big problem affecting students grades, their attendance , and their studying habits. One in four students admitted they have gotten a bad grade due to drinking. (Carol Galbicsek, 2019) Some end up having to retake classes which costs them thousands of dollars resulting in push back on their graduation. Some students may even harm themselves unintentionally. Some 600,000 college students unintentionally injure themselves due to heavy drinking causing bruising ,fractures and muscle sprains. (Carol Galbicsek, 2018)

Drinking can lower a person's inhibitions leaving them vulnerable for a physical or sexual assault. Fifty percent of student sexual assaults involve alcohol. (Alcohol.org,2020) Ninety percent of rapes by an acquaintance of  the victim involve alcohol and 43 % of sexual assault involve use of alcohol by the victim . (Alcohol.org, 2020) It is sad to know that in some cases these sexual assaults could have been prevented by avoiding the use of alcohol. 

MYTHS 

Sadly , many students enter college and believe they have no other choice but to drink like everyone else. This is not true.  About 40% of college students drink on a daily basis which tells us that many more people are saying no than yes. (Morris Green,2014) Many students along with people in general believe that alcohol is not a drug. Alcohol is a drug, just because it is legal does not mean it is not a drug. Alcohol is #1 misused drug/substance. (Morris Green,2015) A drug is a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced to the body. (Morris Green, 2015) Heavy use can lead to alcoholism which is a drug addiction. Some other myths about alcohol are you can't have a party without alcohol and having a few drinks is okay. These are both incorrect, having as little as a 4 ounce drink can impair your focus and behavior if you are not used to drinking. (Morris Green, 2014) There is plenty of fun to be had at parties without alcohol involved. People think they won't fit in if they don't drink. This could not be farthest from the truth, the right people will support your decision not to drink. 

Education is key. Talking to young ones about drinking at an early stage is a good start. It does not mean a child will never drink. Having good lines of communication throughout your child's life will help them to be able to communicate with you when difficult situations arise. Educating students about alcohol and the effects it can have on their life is so important.

Here is some great links:

https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/college-alcohol-abuse/

https://www.thehavenatcollege.com/effects-of-alcohol-on-college-students/

References

Alcohol.org (2020) An American Addiction Centers Resource: Sexual Assault on College Campuses Involving Alcohol. Retrieved from www.alcohol.org

Carol Galbicsek (2019) College Alcoholism. Retrieved from www.alcoholrehabguide.org

Morris Green (2014) 5 Myths College Students Believe About Alcohol. Retrieved from www.absoluteadvocacy.org

CURRENT EVENTS 

I read a recent article from January 8th, 2020 titled "Alcohol -Fueled Deaths Double in the US over the Past 20 Years". This article states since 1999 deaths went from 36,000 a year to 73,000 a year in 2017. (Steven Reinberg,2020) One million deaths have been related to alcohol in less than two decades. Alcohol has been around for years. We tend to focus on newer opiod or suicide deaths than alcohol related deaths. One in five overdose deaths involve alcohol from excessive drinking. (Steven Reinberg, 2020)

Link to article: http://denverrap.org/risk-and-protective-factors-important-in-preventing-drug-and-alcohol-use/



Alcohol-Related Car Crash. Retrieved from bhattlwagroup.com



CDC: Excessive Alcohol Use Costs State Billions. Retrieved from www.usnews.com


Excessive drinking can cause a great amount of harm not only to your body but those around you. The US National Center For Health Satistics reported that in 2017 alcohol abuse accounted for 2.6 % of 3 million deaths in the United States. (Steven Reinberg, 2020) 50% of these deaths were from liver disease or over doses of liquor alone or combined with other drugs. (Steven Reinberg,2020)  Alcohol related deaths are highest among men but the growth of women drinking has become especially higher. Women are at greatest risk due to the higher blood alcohol levels than men when they consume the same amount as a man that is same weight. A womens body tissue is exposed to more alcohol actaldehyde, a toxic metabolite of alcohol after each drink. (Steven Reinberg,2020)

Some reasons for the increase of alcohol consumption could start from loss of job security,financial collasp,community fragmentation, isolation & other social problems by changing world economy & changing cultures. (Steven Reinberg, 2020) Alcohol provides people with a temporary out for the stressors they may be dealing with. That is just it , it is temporary ,after that high the problems still lay ahead and you must deal with them. This can become a vicious cycle for many. Like the article brings out " Alcohol is sneaky, it tells your brain the best way to calm down is to drink more". (Steven Reinberg, 2020) This is why it is so important to find other ways to cope with stress and anxiety of todays problems and not always turn to the bottle for an escape. Be alert and aware so you do not fall into the snare of alcohol. 

Best peice of advice the article brings out is to try to have as little as possible and drink in moderation.

Risk & Protective Factors

Depending on each persons situations, Alcoholism can be interrelated between social,behavioral issue,psychological issue,and cultural issue. What you were exposed to as a child can influence the way you look at drinking and the way it can effect your life. 

It is important to know the risk factors that can increase a persons chance to become addicted to alcohol. Protective factors can help reduce risk.(Leah Raffa, 2015) It is important to identify risk factors and provide early interventions to help in coping . Within the community it is importnat to build a secure environment for children such as after school programs, faith based resources, and have positive peer role models. It is important to help develop good coping skills and problem solving which will help reduce the risk of addiction. (Leah Raffa, 2015) Being suportive and helping build self-esteem is essentially important in prevention. 

Some Useful Links in Intervention:

https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/intervention-alcoholism/ 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451

https://www.verywellmind.com/family-intervention-how-it-works-63299

References:

Leah Raffa (2015) Risk & Protective Factors in Preventing Drug & Alcohol Use. 

                Retrieved from www.deverrap.org

Steven Reinberg (2020) Alcohol- Fueled Deaths Double in U.S. Over Past 20 Years.

                Retrieved from www.usnews.com/news

Bender Alcohol

 

                                            ALCOHOL                     

  

Alcohol has been around for many many years. Alcohol consumption dates back to 7000-6600 B.C. where there is evidence of residues in old pottery jars in northern China. (Andrew Curry, 2017))In 3000 to 2000 B.C the Sumerians in Mesopotamia made beer, there are some 20 different beer recipes recorded on clay tablets. (Dan Wagner, 2019) Many people used alcohol for sacrificial & reglious reasons and in treatement for many medical ailments ,reduce degeneration from old age , diarrhea, childbirth pains and keeping wounds clean. The Greeks had some of the first vineyards in production of wine. Romans followed in this and began to export wine used as currency for slave labor. (Dan Wagner, 2019) Chinese people belived alcohol was the best of all medicine.Ancient Egyptians had bread and beer as their daily diet and was paid compensation for a days work with 3 rations of beer. Chinese were the first to distill spirits with yeast-fermented bases. (Dan Wager, 2019)When the English came to America , the colonists began brewing their ownbeer using malted barley shipped from England. In 1654 Massachussetts laws prohibited against brewing alcohol and banning alcohol for payment which caused a big labor strike. (Dan Wagner, 2019)Many cultures celebrated with alcohol.




Booze in American History. Retrieved from www.foodandwineaesthetics.com


Begining in the 17th Century Americans began drinking Rum. American consumed an average of 5.8 gallons per day. (Dan Wagner, 2019) During 1791, people were being forced to pay a whisky tax also known as the whisky tax of 1791 which made people in Pennsylvania furious. The people of Pennsylania began to protest and in 1802 Thomas Jefferson repealed the tax. In 1860 , the United States produced aound 88 million gallons of alcohol a year. The civil war brought more continued use of alcohol as nurses used it for medications to wounded men and a means of sedation.(Dan Wagner, 2019)Many continued to use alcohol for celbrations such as the 4th of July and New Years Eve.
Many cultures celebrated with alcohol.In the19th century the Prohibition act of banning the manufacturing & selling alcohol gained popularity. (Dan Wagner, 2019)During this time many began to abuse alcohol with cause a high rate of violent war crime such as rape. Liguor was blamed for many abuse crimes. The 1919 Volstead Act said that alcohol could only be produced/sold for medical or relgious reasons and can only be consumed in a persons home if bought legally. (Dan Wagner, 2019) The 21st Amendment ended prohibition in 1933.

Alcohol is a depressant. Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)is only used in beverages made by fermentation of grain & fruits.Chemical process yeasts act upon certain ingredients in the food creating alcohol.(Drinkaware, 2019)Barley and rye fermented make beer and spirits while fermented fruits make wine & cider. (Drinkaware, 2019) There are many types of alcohol and they all contail different percentages of content. (Amanda Lantieri, 2020) The following is the alcohol percentages content in different beverages.

• Vodka - ABV: 40-95%  Gin - ABV: 36-50% 
• Whiskey - ABV: 36-50%  Tequila - ABV: 50-51%
• Liqueurs -ABV: 15%       Fortified Wine - ABV: 16-24%
• Unfortified Wine - ABV: 14-16%  Beer - ABV: 4-8%
• Malt Beverage - ABV: 15%     Rum -ABV: 36-50%
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• Different types of alcohol are linked to different emotions in a drinker. Retrieved from www.couiermail.com
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• Alcohol slows down the way you function causing an inability to think clearly if consumed in large amounts. Alcohol is consumed through a person drinking it.Your liver can metabolize one drink per hour which varies person to person depending on your weight, age, liver function and gender. (Nicole Manico, 2020) More than one drink per hour can lead to intoxication raising a persons blood alcohol content also known as BAC. A person can suffer from both phsical & psychological effects of alcohol use. Mild conditions consist of skin flushing, passin out, vomitting, loss or coordination, mood swings and dulled perceptions to name a few. (Nicole Manico, 2020) More long term effects include Dimisished grey & white matter on the brain , memory loss, loss of attention span, trouble learning, liver fibrosis, cancers (Such as mouth, throat, breast, liver, esophaheal) stroke , and alcoholic hepatitis. (Nicole Manico, 2020)

Drinking is more popular than ever around the world. Some are able to drink moderately while many suffer from problem drinking that can lead to alcholism. It is important ot educate yourself on the effect alcohol has on the body and so important not to consume more than nessary.

Here is some links to some great articles invoving the effects of consuming alcohol:

Alcohol & Memory loss

Alcohol Poisoning

References:

Andrew Curry (2017) National Geographic: Our 9,000 Year Love Affair With Booze. Retrieved from www.nationalgeographic.com

Amanda Lantieri (January 29, 2020) The Alcohol Percentage Contents of Various Beverages. Retieved from www.sunrisehouse.com

Dan Wagner (November 2019) The History of Alcohol Throughout the World. Retrieved from www.recovery.org

Drinkaware (2019) Whats Alcohol , Ingredients, Chemicals & Manufacture. Retrieved from www.drinkaware.com