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How Dry Do You Need To Be?

Mar 31 '00 Write an essay on this topic.

There is a fine line between the student who likes to be social and have a good time, and the student who is an alcoholic. I am not sure that anybody can define that line exactly. Sure, Alcoholics Anonymous has a test to see if you are an alcoholic. I tend to think that anyone who would consider taking the test would have to be an alcoholic. If you need to wonder, then yes, you probably are an alcoholic.

I am not one to advocate excessive drinking, but I am certainly not dry myself. I have watched my friends and myself as we drank through college. Almost everyone drank a lot as a freshman. Most freshmen I knew (and know now) would probably qualify as alcoholics by many people's standards. Binge drinking isn't reserved for crazy frat boys, and alcohol plays a big role in the social lives of most college students.

As college students mature, the focus on alcohol seems to go away. Perhaps because the thrill of doing something forbidden is gone, once students turn 21 most seem to stop getting drunk entirely. I personally would like to see the drinking age reduced to 18 for this reason. As soon as the thrill is gone, the urge to drink seems to be gone also.

I think the choice of "to drink, or not to drink" is up to the individual. Most students will not listen to their parents' views on this subject, but they will probably listen to their friends. Students who have real friends will not be pressured to drink or not to drink. I am in a sorority with some girls who do not drink. That is their choice, and no one ever pesters them to drink.

I think that as long as there is not a history of alcoholism in the family, and as long as drinking is not effecting schoolwork, it is not a problem. Time management is important in any aspect of social time, including drinking. As long as a student can finish all of their work, and is able to get up for class the next morning, I see no problem with drinking. When drinking is getting in the way of schoolwork, it is a definite problem.

If you are wondering if you have a drinking problem, or if drinking is getting in the way of your schoolwork, get help now.

If you are worrying about a friend or child who may have a drinking problem, offer them support but do not force help on them. It will only make the problem worse and make them feel like no one cares about them.
An alcoholic must first admit that they have a problem. If they are not ready to admit this, they are not ready for help.

One thing that I hold fast on is never drive drunk. It is something everyone says they will never do, but once you do it once, you start doing it again and again. There is nothing so important that it would require anyone to drive drunk, nor is there ever a reason to get in the car with a drunk driver. If you are drunk and have to drive some place, wait until you have sobered up. If you can't wait where you are (i.e., the bar is closing), sleep it off in your car, or call a friend or family member to pick you up. Friends or family might be temporarily annoyed, but it is better than having them mourning the loss of you for having been an idiot and driving drunk.

I hate to make a duh statement, but drunk driving can not only maim or kill you, but also anyone else who is on the road. Don't drive drunk. It is the most irresponsible thing you can do. If you drive drunk, I think you probably are an alcoholic. Nothing is so important that you would drive drunk, unless you are an alcoholic or a moron.

Alcohol can be a double-edged sword, because it can make you have a great time up to a point, but it's just as easy to screw up your life. Drink responsibly, if you drink at all.

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