Alcohol Problems

BRIEF SCREENING

Have you had problems at school or work (e.g. missing classes, lateness) due to drinking?
Is your drinking having a negative impact on your relationships?
Have you spent money on alcohol that was supposed to be spent on other things (e.g. books and food)?
Do you drink to help you feel more comfortable in social situations?
Has your drinking led you to take serious and dangerous risks or do things you're ashamed of?
Do you get cravings for alcohol?
Do you ever drink in the morning to help yourself "get going?"
Have you been involved in serious physical/verbal fights due to your drinking?
Do you drink to escape your worries?
Have you ever thought you should cut back on your drinking?
Has anyone ever been concerned about your drinking?
Have you ever had disciplinary or legal consequences due to your drinking?
Have you ever had trouble remembering what happened as a result of your drinking (e.g. a black out)?
Have you ever had a health problem because of your drinking?
Have you ever lied about your drinking?
Have you engaged in unprotected or unwanted sex as a result of drinking?
Do you usually end up drinking more alcohol than you had originally planned?

ALCOHOL PROBLEMS

If you answered "yes to one of more of the brief screening items, then you or someone you know may be suffering from an alcohol-related problem. An "alcohol problem" is any type of condition caused by drinking which harms the drinker directly, jeopardizes the drinker's well-being, or places the drinker or others at serious risk.

College-age students are prone to alcohol problems due to many of the stressor they face such as: peer and social pressures, separation from home and family, identity confusion, and academic/professional concerns. College students may also drink to avoid negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger, and frustration.

Please remember that while college can be a very fun and rewarding experience, it can also be highly stressful. Under such stress, it is not uncommon for college students to turn to alcohol to help them cope with the pressures of college life. Often, this reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism can lead to problematic drinking and alcohol problems.

Alcohol problems can be temporary. However, if left untreated, it may develop into a full-blown alcohol disorder. Alcohol problems, whether minor or severe, cause great physical and mental distress and can lead to serious medical and psychological problems. For this reason, seeking treatment early on becomes essential.

Please read the following list of alcohol problems to better ascertain if you or someone you know suffers from an alcohol-related disorder.

ALCOHOL RELATED DISORDER

Binge Drinking is the most common alcohol problem seen in college students. Binge drinking is the consumption of 5 or more drinks at one sitting for males and 3 or more drinks at one sitting for females. Problems associated with binge drinking on college campuses include: damage to property, problems with authorities, missed classes, hangovers, sustain physical injuries, and higher incidence of assault and unwanted sexual advances.

Alcohol Abuse is recurrent alcohol use that results in (1) a failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, and/or home; (2) recurrent alcohol use in physically hazardous situations (e.g. driving); (3) alcohol-related legal problems; (4) continued alcohol use despite having severe social problems due to drinking (e.g. physical fights, arguments with parents/friends).

Alcohol Dependence is often referred to as alcoholism and is a chronic disease. Symptoms of alcohol dependence include: (1) tolerance (drinking more to get intoxicated OR diminished effects from drinking the same amount); (2) withdrawal (experiencing physical symptoms when alcohol is not used, such as shaking, OR use of an alcohol-like substitute to relieve/avoid physical symptoms; (3) drinking excessively for prolonged periods; (4) unsuccessful efforts to control drinking; (5) increased amount of time spent drinking or recovering from drinking; (6) neglecting important activities (e.g. school, home, friends) because of drinking; (7) continued use of alcohol despite serious physical and psychological difficulties.

WARNING SIGNS

The following are some warning signs that you or someone you know is suffering from an alcohol problem and should seek help immediately:

Inability to stop drinking once started
Getting drunk when invited to have a couple of drinks
Drinking before classes or in the morning
Drinking to cope with or escape from pressures
Drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol
Injuries, accidents, and aggressive behaviors as a result of drinking
Frequently drinking to the point of intoxication
Developing tolerance
Blackouts or memory loss due to drinking
Drinking to feel comfortable engaging in social interactions
Drinking alone
Drinking to cope with anger, sadness, frustration, or other unpleasant emotions

CONSEQUENCES

Long-term consequences of untreated and persistent alcohol problems include: disrupted sleep and eating habits, a weaker immune system, slowed reaction time, liver damage, damage to brain cells, cardiovascular disease, blackouts, withdrawal symptoms, and hallucinations. However, ONE incident of extreme drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, resulting in coma and/or death.

NEED HELP?

Student Counseling and Psychological Services at Marymount can help you or a friend with alcohol-related issues. Confidential support and treatment are available at Marymount for any person who is struggling with any sort of alcohol-related problems.

MARYMOUNT STAFF AVAILABLE TO
ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR NEEDS:

Dr. Brian Quigley, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, will offer consultations, assessments, short-term therapy, as well as provide referrals to outside alcohol and substance abuse therapists specializing in the treatment of alcohol-related disorders. Referrals are also available for outside alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. (ext. 727)

Dahlia Henry, Coordinator of Health and Wellness Services, is available to provide you with important information on alcohol-related issues and their impact upon your physical and mental well-being. (ext. 755)

The Counseling Center at Marymount Manhattan College would like to recognize the contribution of the information posted on University of Buffalo's Counseling Center website in the formation of this brochure. For more information, visit the following website: http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/alcohol.shtml