Redefining the Role of Alcohol and Drinking

Redefining the Role of Alcohol and Drinking in Life

The common perception is that consuming alcohol in social settings is a prerequisite for enjoying a social event and being supportive of its organizers. This is especially the case in colleges and university parties, where alcohol consumption is often seen and promoted as a perquisite for social approval (Turrisi, Mallett, Mastroleo, Larimer, 2006). It's not surprising to see the expectation of the more one drinks, the greater the level of social acceptance and approval. Binge drinking then becomes more of a proxy for social acceptance and less of an activity just for pleasure (Rose, Smith, Segrist, 2010). In observing this dynamic, it is clear that the more socially insecure a person is, the more they are willing to drink heavily to the point of nearly passing out to gain social acceptance (Rose, Smith, Segrist, 2010).

Analysis of Cause and Effect of College Drinking

With the cause being social acceptance, the effect is often hangovers in the morning or sickness the same evening the events take place. What is most troubling about the causes of social binge drinking with college-age students is the willingness to go beyond the boundaries of common sense and drink passing out (Rose, Smith, Segrist, 2010). It's quite a high price to pay for social acceptance, and one that continues to plague students who are often in unfamiliar, new social situations that they have not seen before or at best, have limited experience and confidence in (Turrisi, Mallett, Mastroleo, Larimer, 2006).

While there are a litany causes for binge drinking, the most severe are the ones never completely satiated. These include lack of self-confidence, a need for constant approval, and the sense of never being quite good enough to be included in a group. Having observed binge drinkers and the tendency they have to overdrink at events, the many causes for heavy drinking at college and university parties are very evident just by watching an evening transpire. The causes of binge drinking also lead to mild disagreements becoming major debates, and in general a chaotic level of communication over time.

All of these factors taken together create a very volatile series of causes that taken together create an often unfortunate and painful effect. Having seen friends experience the effects of binge drinking including being sick, not able to walk, and being hung over for days, it is the last activity I'd want to personally engage in. Yet the most insure and needy friends are the ones that tend to go beyond just casual drinking and engage in binge drinking. The effect of binge drinking is often an entire day lost just trying to feel OK again. Sadly the effects of binge drinking has led to a few friends taking actions they regretted the next day and thanks to Facebook and social media, will never really have a chance to forget.