Risks of Binge Drinking for College Girls

Risks of Binge Drinking for College Girls College Drinking The image of drinking, parties, fraternities and sororities are all intertwined with the image of college life and parties on campus. Students, girls in particular, who are heading to college campuses for the first time may believe that nothing bad will happen to them. Without some precautions, safety tips and strong willpower, however, it can happen to anyone. Related Articles How College Girls Can Avoid Being Exploited How College Girls Can Avoid Being Exploited Tips for Living in a Sorority House Tips for Living in a Sorority House Political Issues Teens Are Interested In Political Issues Teens Are Interested In Statistics Are Staggering The statistics related to drunk college girls and students are alarming at best. According to the United States government's College Drinking Prevention website: 97,000 college students are victimized by alcohol-related sexual assaults every year. 100,000 college students are reportedly too intoxicated to remember consenting or dissenting for sexual intercourse. 25% of college students will suffer consequences, either legal or academic, directly related to their alcohol consumption. Health Risks Along with risk of sexual assault and legal consequences, drinking may significantly impact health, as well. Health risks include: Binge drinking can lead to mood changes, depression, and anxiety up to and including suicide attempts. Drinking can lead to dependence and alcoholism. According to College Drinking Prevention, about six percent of college students meet the criteria for dependence, while 34 percent meet the criteria for abuse. Processing alcohol is difficult on the liver and can lead to scarring and cirrhosis. Alcohol causes sleep disturbances and can harm attention span. In extreme cases, alcohol can lead to poisoning which may result in coma or death. Alcohol can interfere with function of most major organs, including the heart, lungs, stomach, and kidneys. Some people drunk on alcohol have vomited while they were asleep and aspirated it into their lungs. This can lead to lung infection, pneumonia, and even asphyxiation. Alcohol has seven calories per gram, and is often mixed with high-calorie mixers, as well. Because of this, it is fattening and can lead to weight gain. Safety First Safety is the first concern for any student going to college whether they live at home with their parents, in on campus housing or an off-campus apartment. Federal law prohibits the sale or consumption of alcohol by minors under the age of 21, although college students range in age from 18 to 22 and in some cases, much older. Girls attending college and seeking to avoid the "drunk college girls" image are advised: Do not drink. Do not attend parties where drinking is mandatory. Always travel with a friend or two. Make plans to stick together. Do not drink anything you have not seen poured yourself. Avoid drinking from anyone else's cup. If alcohol consumption is planned, make arrangements for a ride or safety escort to pick you up from the party at a designated time. Appoint a sober monitor, one or more friends who will not consume alcoholic beverages, but will look out for you. Avoid situations of social pressure, particularly sorority or fraternity pledging that requires unsafe or illegal behavior. Pre-program your cell phone with designated HELP numbers that you can easily find while inebriated as well as an I.C.E. (in case of emergency) number that emergency personnel can find easily to contact.