By THE COUNSELING CENTER
Did you know April is National Alcohol Awareness Month? This is a great time to educate ourselves and explore the dangers and prevalence of alcohol use and abuse, specifically among college students. Alcohol consumption has become the norm for some college students, especially during the pandemic. If you think you may have an issue with alcohol, it is important to address the impact that it may have on your academics, work, and social relationships.
According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2019, 53% of students ages 18-22 reported that they had drunk alcohol in the last month and 33% of them reported engaging in binge drinking within that same time period. Unfortunately, underage drinking can have many consequences, including higher rates of assault and sexual assault, health problems, academic-related problems, alcohol use disorder, unsafe sexual behavior, driving under the influence, involvement of police, or even death.
College students have higher rates of alcohol consumption when compared to same age peers that do not attend college. College life has many opportunities that perpetuate the use of alcohol. These include the flexible schedule of college life, access to alcoholic beverages, inconsistent enforcement of underage drinking laws, and the limited number of interactions between students and family or adults. For most college students, alcohol use is driven by social factors or in order to seek emotional relief or escape. At the Counseling Center we encourage students to find healthy alternatives for relieving stress and finding emotional relief. We are here to help you find what alternatives work best for you! Here are some alternatives to alcohol use that students can use to help them de-stress or socialize with peers!
Go to events on campus
Join a club on campus
Go out to dinner with friends
See a movie
Have a game night with friends
Try yoga or meditation
Exercise regularly
Create a journal for writing down your thoughts
Eat a balanced and nutritious diet to fuel your body
Get more sleep!
Get emotional support from friends or family that you love and trust
Reach out to a mental health professional for help
The counselors at the Counseling Center at The College of Saint Rose are here to help you find healthy alternatives to alcohol use and support you in addressing substance abuse! More information can be found at https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking. Additionally, for students looking for more guidance or information, The Counseling Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. We are located on the third floor of Saint Joseph Hall at 985 Madison Ave. Appointments are now being held virtually. You can call the center at 518-454-5200 to make an appointment!
