College Students and Drinking: Is Your Child Hiding Their Alcohol Abuse?
As young adults entering a strange new world, college students face a variety of unique challenges that can feel both exciting and nerve-racking. In search of ways to cope with their new surroundings, many students resort to drinking as a way to fit in with their peers, manage stress, and lower inhibitions. Alcohol abuse on college campuses is risky and can negatively impact your teen’s future.
As a parent, you want to keep your child safe from harm, but it may not always be obvious they are struggling. Understanding the risks involved and what signs to look for can have a massive impact on their future—here’s what you need to know.
A Closer Look at Alcohol Abuse on College Campuses
Alcohol abuse and binge drinking are, unfortunately, commonplace in many colleges and universities throughout the country. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 4.8 million full-time college students reported consuming alcohol in the past month and 14.9% of adults aged 18-25 met the criteria for alcohol use disorder. Recent statistics also report that an estimated 1,519 college students in this age range will die from an alcohol-related incident or injury.
Binge drinking, a pattern of consistent and excessive alcohol consumption in a single sitting, is a significant problem on most campuses. Increased rates of binge drinking are closely associated with negative life and health outcomes for teens and young adults. A 2019 study showed that 33% of full-time students who reported drinking in the past month also reported binge drinking.
College Students and Drinking: What are the Risks?
Substance abuse in college students occurs frequently as teens and young adults are exposed to a wide and regular availability of substances, like alcohol, marijuana, and prescription stimulants. Some students enter college life with a familiarity with these substances, but others may find themselves unprepared to deal with the temptations and distractions associated with college party culture. Alcohol abuse on college campuses remains a perilous problem, one that poses many hazards and risks. Some of these dangers include:
The threat of addiction looms, as many young adults may see their drinking as a phase or a rite of passage that all college students go through. These students may also worry their problems won’t be taken seriously due to their age.
As their drinking habits and patterns continue, their personal relationships and quality of life can deteriorate. Academic and work performance may suffer and students abusing alcohol might find their physical and mental health suffering as a result of their drinking.
When under the influence of alcohol, college students are more likely to engage in risky behaviors or put themselves in dangerous environments. The risk of physical and sexual assault also increases in situations involving alcohol and drug use. These situations can put their life and well-being at risk and may result in serious legal consequences.
4 Signs Your Teen is Hiding Their Alcohol Abuse
It can be difficult to know if your son or daughter is abusing alcohol. For some students, binge drinking may result in more obvious signs of a problem, like incidents involving alcohol poisoning, assault, physical injury, or getting in trouble with the law. For others, this dangerous problem can be harder to detect.
Discussing substance abuse with your child, while uncomfortable, has the power to save their life. If you’re concerned your child is abusing alcohol, pay close attention to these warning signs:
Changes in mood and demeanor are common in college students abusing alcohol. Your teen may appear distressed, overwhelmed, or irritable or may have challenging encounters with fellow students or teachers. They may also appear withdrawn or frequently isolate themselves from others.
Alcohol abuse can have a detrimental effect on your child’s grades. They might be missing classes and deadlines or having trouble concentrating. It’s also more likely that a student abusing alcohol will run into disciplinary problems on campus.
Substance abuse in college students may manifest as increased spending or difficulty managing their finances. This may not always be noticeable if your child has their own job or bank account, but if you notice excessive withdrawals or frequent requests for additional allowance, it may be a sign they are spending too much to feed their alcohol consumption.
You may notice signs in their physical appearance that indicate they are drinking excessively as students who are abusing alcohol may have difficulty sleeping, unhealthy eating patterns, or drastic changes in their weight.
If you discover your young adult is struggling with their alcohol use, do your best not to respond with judgment or anger—seeking professional help is the best thing you can do. The Walker Center offers evidence-based mental health and rehabilitation services in Gooding and Twin Falls, Idaho. Our team of treatment professionals will work to develop an individualized plan for your child and help them get on the road to recovery.
To learn more about the types of programs and therapies we offer, get in touch with a member of our team here.
