Photo by: Edwin Land
Alcohol abuse is a prevalent issue on many college and university campuses across the country. Just a few years ago a local university’s administration seriously considered withdrawing the liquor license for the new campus pub to curb alcohol abuse and under-aged drinking. Although alcohol has a stable place in American culture (after all, how many beer commercials do you see on TV?), the growing prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcohol poisoning among college students is, quite frankly, scary. Not only is alcohol consumption the problem, but also the lack of education students have about what alcohol abuse and poisoning are, and how to deal with them.
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is, basically, an excessive use of alcohol and/or alcoholic drinks. Thus, alcohol abuse doesn’t just apply to alcoholics, but rather, can refer to any individual who drinks alcohol in extreme amounts. Remind you of anyone or any party you’ve ever been to? Here’s a hint: your fraternity brother who chugged the bottle of captain morgan last night, or your sorority sister who took 12 shots of Bacardi Razz: both are cases of alcohol abuse.
Its very important for your fraternity and sorority members to understand what constitutes alcohol abuse, and to be able to identify it in real life. Your members should realize that drinking until you fall down, throw up, or pass out is not normal alcohol consumption (although it may seem like the norm). They should also understand how alcohol abuse affects their minds and bodies:
- Small amounts of alcohol can cause euphoria, lethargy and blurred vision
- Large amounts of alcohol can cause confusion, stupor and unconsciousness
- Hangovers are common after-effects of heaving drinking (usually including dry mouth, headaches, and nausea)
- Anterograde Amnesia (blacking out) is caused by heavy drinking
- Vomiting is a common symptom of heavy drinking as the body attempts to expel the excess alcohol
- Alcohol poisoning can occur from extreme alcohol consumption and lead to death
- Asphyxiation by vomit can occur from extreme alcohol consumption and lead to death
For more information about the effects of alcohol click here
If you suspect a member of your fraternity or sorority of alcohol abuse, the best thing to do is to confront the individual. Many college students actually believe that nights of drinking that include blacking out and vomiting are normal. For their own safety and for the safety of your chapter, you need to set them straight. While they may not be receptive to you at first, or even curse at you and tell you to mind your own business, helping your fraternity brother or sorority sister realize they have an alcohol problem is the most pro-active thing you can do.
As an executive member of your chapter, its your responsibility to make sure your members know what to do if they see alcohol abuse. Additionally, its your responsibility to support both the member who sees the abuse, and the member who is abuse. Whether it is your big bro, lil sis, or best friend in the world, as a chapter executive you must be able to provide your members with the support, guidance and resources they need.
Alcohol Poisoning
While alcohol poisoning may never have occurred in your chapter, its important to educate your members on how to identify alcohol poisoning, and what to do. Remember: all of the signs of alcohol poisoning do not have to be present in order to establish an alcohol overdose.
Critical Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
- Mental confusion, stupor, or coma (individual cannot be awakened)
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute) or irregular breathing
- Hypothermia, bluish skin color or paleness
If you or a member suspects an individual of alcohol poisoning, the first thing to do is to call 911. Remind your members that even if they’re not sure or are hesitant to call (maybe they’ve been drinking too), a person’s life is potentially at risk. After calling 911, make sure the individual is in the recovery position, meaning they are lying on their side, their chin is up, and their mouth is pointed downward. This ensures that the individual’s airways are open and, if they vomit, it will not get stuck in their esophagus.
Recovery Position
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Once 911 has been called and the individual is in the recovery position, someone should remain to monitor the individual. Never, for any reason, should someone with alcohol poisoning be left alone (let alone one of your fraternity brothers or sorority sisters). Ideally, the person monitoring the individual with alcohol poisoning should be sober, and should be able to lift and move the individual if need be (basically, don’t leave your 90-pound sorority sister to watch the 225-pound fraternity brother by herself).
Even if your chapter has gone through an alcohol awareness program or CPR training, its important to reiterate this information as often as possible (ideally, once a quarter or semester). The more you go over this information with your members, the more likely it is that they’ll absorb the information and know what to do should a situation arise.
Alcohol Abuse Resources and Programs
If you believe one of your fraternity brothers or sorority sisters has a problem with alcohol, here are some assistance programs. Additionally, don’t forget your university’s student health services for university resources and local programs.
Information about Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse