Dangers of Underage Drinking - Essay Example

Alcohol-Dependency Issues and Concerns among College in America Peter Lim Chamberlain College of Nursing Alcohol-Dependency Issues and Concerns among College Students in America Alcohol abuse among college students is a course for concern in America. It culminates to more than 4600 annual deaths, affects the academic performance of students, causes irresponsible sexual behavior and decreases students output when they reach the alcohol dependency level. The magnitude of the issue deserves maximum attention to ensure that colleges and universities produce healthy and upright individuals. The article, “Treatment of Alcohol-Dependent College Students” by Teena M. McGuiness and Terri A. Kelly addresses the alcohol related issues with particular concern for college students. It contains useful information, and statistics to depict the state of alcohol use among college students. This paper aims to explore the nature of alcohol abuse and dependency in colleges as well as the available interventions for management of the problem. College goers view alcohol consumption as a rite of passage in a bid to enjoy college life. In the article “Treatment of Alcohol-Dependent College Students”, the authors note that 63% of full-time college students were drinkers, 42% were binge drinkers while heavy drinkers accounted for 15%. A good number of students engage in heavy drinking without considering the effect of the alcohol on their brain. There are serious consequences of alcohol abuse such as deaths caused by drunk driving, irresponsible sexual behavior, poor academic performance, and physical abuse (McGuiness & Kelly, 2012). Almost a third of college students exhibit a high-risk alcohol consumption behavior. The authors claim that these behaviors lead to the excessive alcohol consumption that not only affects the performance of the students but also drives them to alcohol dependence. Combined with environmental cues and exposure to stress, past sexual or physical abuse, college students are likely to continue drinking up to the alcohol dependency level (McGuiness & Kelly, 2012). Exposure to stressors such as memories of abuse complicates treatment or recovery and may cause treated individuals to start drinking again. Individuals consume more alcohol if they face severe stressors. McGuiness & Kelly (2012) also note that lack of social support also serves to increase the rate of alcohol consumption. Users hope to get a time off from the difficulties they face in life though alcohol consumption. The article documents treatment options that are most viable for college students. The motivation enhancement therapy is one intervention that seeks to identify the causes of the drinking behavior, sources reasons for abstaining from alcohol consumption and the emphasis on the dangers of alcohol consumption. The prevention of relapse entails the identification of stressors such as financial stressors, relationship issues and environmental cues (McGuiness & Kelly, 2012). From this identification, there is an implementation of coping strategies as well as measures to curb the influence of the surrounding environment. Psychiatric nurses in schools bear significant roles such as identifying stressors through interaction with students, encouraging active and relevant discussions, helping students in recovery by recommending appropriate places, and helping students identify stressors that lead to stressors and the efficient way to deal with them. Young and energetic youths die or perform poorly in colleges as a result of heavy drinking and dependency. Additionally, they accrue unsafe behaviors that can lead to legal troubles. The information from the article presents data to justify the reason for participate in alcohol abstinence students’ campaign and consequently promote health. The figures of deaths and the percentages of students engaging in irresponsible and heavy alcohol consumption are alarming. This serves to attract attention by showing the magnitude of the problem. The article exposes the dangers of underage drinking by focusing on the particular dangers. Young college students need to know the dangers of underage drinking so that they can shun alcohol use at early ages. The information is crucial in shaping the lives of young people so that they can stay alive and lead better lives The article dwells on the statistics of the alcohol abuse among college students. This is an advantage as these figures are needed to stress the magnitude of the issue. Not only do the figures stress the magnitude of the issue but also depict the real scenario in colleges and universities so as to initiate federal and state intervention through the education departments. The information provokes the government and states to scrutinize alcohol consumption in colleges. The article also communicates to students to show them the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, it provides interventions that inform the victims of alcohol abuse on the road to recovery. The article also highlights the failed role of education authorities in tackling the problem. It is important to put the education bodies on the spot so as to call them to action. Through this, the article fulfills the role of communicating the issue to a significant player. The main disadvantage of the article rests on the treatments. It does not break down the treatment options adequately by highlighting how they work. The roles of the affected students on the road to recovery are not adequately covered. Instead, much of the attention is put on the psychiatric nurse. The role of the governments is not also adequately covered. This undermines the fact that proper recovery is a collaborative effort between the parties. The article also contains another weakness from the failure to dwell on the relationship between alcohol consumption and academic performance. Since this article focuses on college students, academic performance is a key concern. More information on the same would help students to fully understand the effect of alcohol abuse or dependency on their academic performance. I would recommend this article to colleagues. It can be useful to them, friends or their children in the future. The fact that the stressors of excessive alcohol consumption are unpredictable makes it necessary to have information to deal with them. Additionally, the article can be useful to colleagues who secretly suffer from alcohol abuse. The dangers of excessive abuse are real among students in college and they manifest themselves in the form of drunk driving, poor academic performance, sexual irresponsibility, and aggressive behavior. Excessive alcohol abuse or dependency may be brought by environmental cues in colleges such as peer pressure, past physical or sexual abuse, or lack of self-control. Motivation enhancement therapy and identification of stressors serve as the main treatment intervention and relapses prevention, respectively. The role of psychiatric nurses cannot be downplayed as they help in the recognition of stressors, support, and implementation of the treatment interventions. There is a need for students to observe commitment while undergoing alcohol treatment. Implementation of policies in colleges that prevent drug abuse is absolutely necessary for tackling alcohol abuse and dependency among college students. References Kelly, T. A., & McGuinness, T. M. (2012). Treatment of alcohol-dependent college students. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 50(10), 15-18. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20120906-98 Read More