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Avoid or Stop High Risk Drinking
and Drug Use
What is high risk drinking?
College and university presidents agree, the majority of vandalism,
violence and physical injury occurring on college campuses is a
result of short-term binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined by
the Harvard Alcohol Study as 4 or more drinks in a row in one sitting
for women, and five or more drinks for men. Another national study
conducted by the CORE Institute supports the concern
that students drinking to get drunk are at highest risk for injury,
assault, academic problems and depression. 47% of binge drinkers
in college experienced, over the past year, 5 or more problems such
as poor classroom performance, arguments and fights, unplanned sexual
activity, or overdoses requiring medical help.
Source: CORE Institute.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be
a serious problem for college students. While progress is being
made, 44% of the 3,616 traffic deaths for this age group in 1994
involved alcohol. The highest intoxication rates among drivers in
fatal crashes in 1996 were for 21-24 year olds (27%).The National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control reports that most prevention measures
proposed to decrease drinking related crashes among teens and college
students involve zero tolerance laws for under 21 drivers and compulsory
blood alcohol testing for all crashes resulting in injury.
Source: National Center for Injury Prevention
and Control.
Statistics
Alcohol and other drug use among college students is measured through
several national surveys. Monitoring the Future, sponsored by the
National Institute on Drug Abuse,
has been conducted since 1977. Additional statistical information
is available through CORE Institute,
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA at Columbia
University) and the Harvard School of Public Health.
Do you need help managing alcohol use or stopping drug use?
To assess your alcohol use:
The basic warning signs of problems with alcohol
include:
- Frequently drinking to intoxication.
- Skipping classes or missing work due to drinking or hangovers.
- Frequently drinking alone or to escape an unpleasant mood.
- Doing something you would not normally do or causing harm to
yourself or others while under the influence.
Helpful tools to assess your drinking habits.
Help on campus...
- The UCI Counseling Center
offers psychological counseling for problems related to alcohol
and other drug use.
- UCI Health Education offers
free brochures and printed resources to help you with your research
on these issues. We also have a community directory you can consult
for information on community and county-funded resources.
- UCI Student Health Services
offers medical and mental health professionals to help you with
problems related to alcohol and other drug use.
Help in other places...
Consult your physician or medical plan for assistance in identifying
additional resources available to you in this area.
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