College
Drinking Myths
8 College Drinking
Myths - Busted Wide Open
Myth 1:
"I'm more fun when I drink."
REALITY: Believe us, no one thinks you're fun when
you're slurring, stumbling all over the place, puking in your
pillow, or keeping your roommates up all night. There is a
big difference between laughing with someone and laughing
at someone. Do you really want to be someone's entertainment?
Myth 2:
"Everyone drinks heavily at parties so they can relax
and hang out."
REALITY: Though many people use alcohol to help loosen
them up in social situations, if you'd stop drinking for a
sec to take a closer look, you'd realize that most people
are not drinking heavily. There are only a few people who
really get trashed at parties, lose control, embarrass themselves,
or endanger their lives.
Myth 3:
"It totally mellows me out to smoke a little weed after
I throw back a few beers."
REALITY: Mixing drugs (including drugs like alcohol
and marijuana) has what scientists call an additive effect.
This means you'll feel the intoxication from both. So don't
kid yourself into thinking you'll have a few drinks and then
mellow out by smoking pot. Sure, you may feel mellow, but
what you really are is wasted.
Myth 4:
"It's no one else's business how much I drink. I can
handle it."
REALITY: If you're drunk and then lose your keys and
then have to pound on the door until your roommate wakes up
to let you in, that affects your roommate. In fact, studies
show that one person's drinking habits can affect an average
of five people other than the drinker. Still think it's nobody
else's business?
Myth 5:
"If I don't drink, there would be nothing to do at my
school."
REALITY: Uh, hello? It's called a college handbook.
Maybe you stuck yours under your bed after the first week
of school. Find it, read it, and learn about the clubs, sports,
and service organizations your school offers. You may be surprised
to find out how many people are involved in extracurricular
activities other than the Drinking Team. Still not convinced?
The Peer Health Education Center has a list of 101 things
to do in San Luis Obispo without drugs or alcohol. You should
check it out.
Myth 6:
"I'm having as much fun as I can while I'm in college.
As soon as I graduate I'll get my act together."
REALITY: Your drinking habits can keep you from attending
class, studying regularly, or getting involved in a career-oriented
club or internship. Plus, if you're thinking of going to grad
school, you still need to be making the grade so that your
transcripts look good. One other thing to keep in mind: Even
though no one goes to college intending to become an alcoholic,
heavy drinking behavior in college can ultimately lead some
people to full-blown alcoholism after college.
Myth 7:
""Even though my mom or dad is an alcoholic, I know
how to drink without letting it get out of hand."
REALITY: Maybe, maybe not. Children who grow up in
homes with parental alcoholism are three to four times more
likely to become alcoholics themselves. Though this does not
mean you'll definitely have an alcohol problem if one of your
parents does, it does mean you should pay special attention
to your behavior. You are not like people whose parents are
not alcoholics.
Myth 8:
"I just drink socially."
REALITY: Drinking with other people does not make you
a social drinker. Social drinkers might drink regularly, but
they don't get drunk. Nor does a social drinker exhibit any
of the clinical signs of addition to alcohol. Visit the self-assessment
portion of this website to find out if partying plays too
big a part in your life.
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