Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the use of alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences. It is differentiated from alcohol dependence by the lack of symptoms such as tolerance and withdrawal. Alcohol abuse is sometimes referred to by the less specific term alcoholism. However, many definitions of alcoholism exist, and only some are compatible with alcohol abuse.
Treatment
Treatment can vary for Alcohol Abuse but there are many programs that exist from prevention to age and gender specific rehab centers.Many times there are abuse issues associated with alcoholism and group treatment entirely composed of women, for example, can help tend to issues surrounding male abusers. Rehabilitation centers are recommended for detoxification as there can be serious physical effects, including death, if treated improperly.
College Binge Drinking
‘”Statistics: Consequences a night of Drinking Among College Students in 2001’’’
Had a hangover 64.5%
Became nauseated or vomited 55.5%
Did something they later regretted 40.5%
Missed a class 34.1%
Drove a car while under the influence 29.0%
Got into a fight or argument 31.8%
Were criticized by someone they know 32.3%
Performed poorly on a test/other project 24.4%
Had trouble with police or other authorities 16.5%
‘”The racial ethnic groups that Binge drinking on college campuses are as follows:’’’ ‘’Caucasian (White) binge drink the most followed by Hispanics and African Americans.”
The findings regarding gender differences indicate that as many females as males are consuming alcohol. However, males are shown to have more of a problem with bad drinking, such as binge drinking and everyday drinking.
‘”Over 40% of college students binge drink (5 drinks in a row for men and 4 for women).’’’ College students that binge drink also have many disruptions, such as missing class because of a hangover or not getting enough sleep the night before, not studying for a test, and because alcohol affects one’s judgment the person may get into an altercation with someone else.
A study done of the campus of University of North Carolina at Wilmington suggests that men binge drink to feel “macho” and women binge drink to try to feel equal to men.
College Binge Drinking
A study in 2001 indicated ‘”29 percent of college students have driven a car while under the influence of alcohol’” (Windel). A separate study was performed and the results were that ‘”2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove a vehicle under the influence of alcohol’”(USA.gov). These two studies show college drinking and driving is an issue. The 1995 Centers for Disease Control and prevention National College Risk Behavior Survey reported that ‘”39.9% of college students between the ages of 18-24 rode with a drunk driver in the past month’” (Beck).
Negative Consequences Associated with Excess Drinking
*Missing Class
*Poor Performance on Tests/Projects
*Lower Grade Point Average
*Assault
*Acquaintance Rape
*Fights
*DUI
*Dropping Out of School
*Arrests
*Academic Probation
*Poor Mental Health
*Depression
*Legal Problems
*Physical Injury
*Expensive
*Memory Loss
*Social Embarrassment
*Weight Gain
*Arguments
*Unexplained Sexual Encounters
*Sexually Transmitted Infections
*Physical Injury
*Hangovers
*Blackouts
Questionnaire
Ask yourself these questions and if one or more of them apply to you then you may have an alcohol abuse problem:
….Have you drunk so much you blacked out or don’t remember what happened?
….Are you unable to have just one drink, which leads to more drinking or binge drinking?
….When you drink, does it lead to dangerous situations such as driving drunk?
….When you drink do you feel increased irritability, or anger, and less control of violent actions?
….Do you tend to avoid activities that don’t include drinking?
….Do you feel a strong need, or craving to drink?
….When you stop drinking after a period of heavy drinking, do you feel nauseated, sweat, shake, or feel anxiety?
….Do you have a need for increasing amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect?
….Are your grades being affected by how much you drink?
….Do you have a tendency to drink alone?
Drinking learner permits
Drinking learner permits have been proposed as a way to reduce alcohol abuse among young adults. Proponents argue that learner’s permits would be analogous to driving learner permits. A person who wishes to obtain a driver’s license must first acquire a learner’s permit. This requires that the person pass a written test of driving knowledge and then pass a test of driving ability by successfully operating a motor vehicle. Issuance of the learner’s permit then allows the driver to operate a vehicle under the oversight of an older driver and the permit holder is restricted to driving only during certain hours and under a number of other restrictions designed to help the person learn to drive safely.
Proponents of alcoholic beverage drinking learner permits argue that they should be available to adults age 18 to 21 with parental or guardian permission after successfully completing an alcohol education course and written tests. The permit would restrict the locations, times, and amounts of alcohol that could legally be consumed. The permit could be revoked immediately at any time by the parents or guardians or any law enforcement officer. Opponents of drinking learner permits argue that persons under the age of 21 should not be permitted to drink any amount of alcohol for any reason, including religious, because they believe their brains lack the necessary physiological development. Proponents emphasize that the applicability of this research to light and moderate drinking is speculative because it is based on rats and young people who are serious alcohol abusers who are typically in treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. It also fails to address the fact that Jews, Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, Portuguese and many others typically drink from an early age without any reported cognitive impairment.
Opponents also argue that adults age 18, 19 and 20 lack the maturity to make informed decisions about drinking. Proponents emphasize that citizens are legally adults at the age of 18.