Binge Drinking in College

Many parents worry about their students engaging in binge drinking in college, and they should. Binge drinking is a dangerous practice that puts college students at risk all around the country. Having said that, let’s focus not on worry, but on learning about and identifying ways to combat binge drinking.

Binge Drinking Defined

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says that binge drinking involves consuming an excessive amount of alcohol over a period of two hours. This often results in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. People don’t need a lot of alcohol to accomplish this, typically five drinks or more for men, and four or more for women. That’s quick for a mature social drinker, but not for a younger person seeking to fit in.

Why it Matters

Studies show that binge drinking in college can lead students to poor academic performance, including suspension or expulsion from college. Binge drinking also increases the likelihood they they’ll participate in other risky behaviors, such as unsafe sex, or drinking and driving. Students who binge drink may also be setting themselves up for long term alcohol issues. Further, they may become socially isolated. The drunk student at a party may be fun to hang out with sometimes, but not in the long term, since most students go to college to get an education.

Why it Happens

When students go to college, they’re often in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by people who appear to know what they’re doing. It’s not uncommon for them to do what other students do, by attending parties and other events to become part of the social fabric of their universities. We do the same things when we enter a new workplace, albeit in a more mature, reasoned fashion. Our new students, however, have brains that are still developing, and they don’t have the reasoning skills to decide what new things in college are too risky to engage in. Peer pressure is a big factor in this, and some students jump to binge drinking as a way to fit in.

Beyond that, they have been bombarded for years with images of college spring breaks events, showing the party side of college, so much so that they may rush into these risky activities because “all students do it.” Well, no, they don’t have to drink, and many college students don’t. An even larger number seldom drink to excess, but parents worry that their student might be one of those who binge drinks is understandable.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Binge Drinking

College and universities wrestle with binge drinking every day. They know its impact on academic performance, disciplinary actions and long term health, and most colleges have policies that sanction students for engaging in it. But I would raise two questions about their policies. First, are they being applied consistently, and second, can students struggling with an alcohol problem receive help from their schools as well as discipline? Only when a college can say “yes” to both questions are they on the right track.

What You Can Do To Support Your Student

Never underestimate your impact on your student’s life. It may not seem that way when they roll their eyes when you ask a question, but your influence is certainly there. If you have a gathering at your home where alcohol is served, show your student how adults handle alcohol. Let them know that many college students don’t drink, or drink very little. And when you discover they may have engaged in binge drinking, offer your support, not by yelling, but by listening. That doesn’t mean they’re off the hook, though. Hold them accountable for their behavior, even as you steer them toward the support and counseling they may need to make better decisions about alcohol and support them through a campus disciplinary process.

Further, remind them that there are many less risky ways to fit in at college than binge drinking. Better ways to fit in include joining clubs and organizations, connecting with faculty and career development staff, and participating in service activities.

More than anything else, though, when something does happen please be there for them. When your student calls and says “Dad, I screwed up,” don’t ask “what did you screw up this time.” Rather, ask “how can I help?”