Alcohol Treatment for College Students
Abuse of alcohol on college campuses is not a new experience. College drinking has been perceived as a social norm. Movies depict parties where people are engaging in alcohol consumption and are joyfully participating in fun social interactions. However, today’s news media is presenting the darker side of alcohol abuse on campus. In addition to being illegal for students under the age of 21, there is an increased awareness of the ramifications of alcohol abuse. Statistics about college alcohol use include the following:
- In 2009, over 1,800 college students died in alcohol-related instances
- Another 600,000 students were seriously injured
- During the same year, almost 700,000 students were assaulted by another student who had been drinking
- Almost 500,000 students engaged in unsafe sex and almost 100,000 were victims of sexual assault or rape
Why Do College Students Drink?
Without parental supervision and not having the experience to cope with new independence and occurrences, many college students feel overwhelmed, fearful and lost. It is not uncommon to hear the following reasons that college students provide for why they consume alcohol:
- To calm down, not worry and cope with stress
- To overcome shyness, depression or loneliness
- To fit into social situations with more confidence
College Campaigns on Alcohol Abuse
An increasing number of colleges are planning and implementing alcohol abuse campaigns in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related problems on their campuses. Components of these campaigns include the following:
- Offering non-alcoholic social options
- Offering informational meetings that may alter view alcohol abuse
- Enforcing minimum drinking age laws by increasing enforcement at campus-based events that promote excessive drinking and having campus police conduct random spot checks
- Offering alcohol and substance abuse support services to students
- Eliminating keg parties on campus
- Establishing alcohol-free dormitories
- Eliminating social activities that encourage alcohol abuse such as tailgating parties or post-victory parties
- Providing information literature about other alcohol support options.
Campuses are also provided and making students aware of recovery or support options including the following:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Online support forums
- Alcohol treatment inpatient programs
- Outpatient treatment programs
Get Alcohol Treatment Help for College Students
Get help to learn about the most appropriate alcohol addiction treatment for you, your child or your student. While recovery is difficult, it is possible and we can help, so please call our toll-free helpline today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about alcohol addiction treatment programs. We are here to help.