About Alcohol

Author: Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Program

Topic: Alcohol/Drugs

According to surveys, three out of four college students drink. In addition, one in five elementary students drink alcohol. Most people consider drinking to be normal and respectable and sometimes forget that alcohol can cause serious problems.

Students' school performance and general functioning--both in and out of school--can be profoundly affected. Poor concentration, blackouts (memory lapses) and personality problems may result from drinking over an extended period of time.

Some clear signs of a problem with alcohol are:

• Drinking to cope with or escape from problems and pressures.
• Driving while intoxicated.
• Drinking more and more to achieve the same effect.
• Rapid mood changes and irritability.
• Frequent intoxication.
• Accidents resulting from intoxication.
• Physical complaints related to alcohol use, such as fatigue weight change, etc.
• Going to school or work while intoxicated.
• Experiencing blackouts or loss of memory.
• Relying on alcohol to relieve physical or mental pain.

Some of the physical consequences of problem drinking are:

• Damage to brain cells.
• Increased risk of cirrhosis, ulcers, heart disease, heart attack and cancers of liver, mouth, throat and stomach.
• Degeneration of muscle and bone.

Reference

Botvin, G. J., Griffin, K. W., Paul, E., & Macaulay, A. P. (2003). Preventing Tobacco and Alcohol Use among Elementary School Students through Life Skills Training. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 12, 1-17.