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Mental Health Newsletter - Alcohol

Mental Health News, a monthly newsletter published/sponsored by Psychological Counseling Services (located in the Student Health Center). Topics will include issues such as: depression, eating disorders, and general wellness. Included in the newsletter will be:

Information about the topic being discussed listing of websites where you can obtain more information about the issue
Campus and community resources available

ALCOHOL & YOU
The facts you want to know

INTERESTING FACTS:

  • Between 2 & 3% of the current American college population will die from alcohol related causes.

  • 30% of college failure is alcohol related.

  • Every year, college students spend $5.5 billion dollars on alcohol, mostly beer. This is more than they spend on books, soda pop, coffee, juice, and milk combined, averaging $466 per student per year (on alcohol).

  • Drinking and driving is the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 17-24.

  • College students drink an estimated 4 billion cans of beer annually.

    • YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ALCOHOLIC TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL...

    BINGE DRINKING CAN BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS. 50% of college men and 37% of college women are classified as "binge drinkers". What is binge drinking? When you consume large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time (for example, four drinks per hour).

    HOW DO YOU KNOW ALCOHOL IS A PROBLEM FOR YOU?

  • INJURIES as a result of drinking.

    •
  • Drinking BEFORE CLASS OR WORK.

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  • Extreme CHANGES IN PERSONALITY.

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  • Experiencing BLACKOUTS or loss of memory.

    •
  • RELYING ON ALCOHOL to cope with stress.

    •
  • Relying on alcohol to "FIT IN" and be social.

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  • Drinking a lot at one time or DRINKING OFTEN

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  • Drinking MORE AND MORE to achieve the same effect.

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  • Getting in trouble with THE LAW as a result of drinking.

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  • FRIENDS AND FAMILY bringing up concerns about your drinking.

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  • DENYING the reliance on alcohol.

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  • Frequent MOODINESS.

    • **Still not sure if you have a problem? Visit the following website to take a quiz on your drinking behavior - www.cts.com/crash/habtsmrt/chkup.html

    WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CUT DOWN ON DRINKING? AND REDUCE THE RISK OF GETTING "DRUNK" WHEN YOU GO OUT?

  • EAT before you drink.

    •
  • SIP, don't gulp.

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  • Alternate booze with NON-ALCOHOLIC beverages.

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  • Choose drinks with food-based mixtures, such as vege & fruit juices (water & carbonated mixers increase impairment).

    •
  • Get involved in activities that don't include alcohol.

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  • Limit your drinking to ONE DRINK PER HOUR.

    •
  • To keep track of how much you drink: keep straws or bottle caps from all your drinks.

    • Just a reminder: BARS USUALLY GIVE DESIGNATED DRIVERS FREE DRINKS!!

  • Visit websites to find out more information:

    • www.runet.edu/~kcastleb/toc.html
    www.mdch.state.mi.us/ads/binge.htm
    www.sada.org

    RESOURCES ON CAMPUS: Call 278-5422 for information on the alcohol drug prevention program

  • Visit a local bookstore and look under the self-help or psychology section. There are usually many books on alcohol and drug use.

    • Call Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) at (916)454-1100 to get meeting times and places.

    Come to PCS to talk with someone, or email us for additional information.


    To read past issues select the relevant month below
    September-Stress
    October-Depression
    November-Sexuality
    December-Eating Disorders