Binge drinking in American colleges has raised concerns among various stakeholders because of its negative short-term and long-term effects on its users. The research conducted by Jennison (2004) clearly indicates that binge drinking among college students is becoming a serious issue that affects not only their social lives but also their academic performance. According to Watson (2012), it is estimated that about 40% of American college students engage in binge drinking.
Although some of the abusers cite stress as the main factor that influences them to engage in binge drinking, most of these college students get lured into this habit by peer pressure and the need to belong to a certain group. They start drinking habits as a pleasurable activity that they can stop at any time they may wish. However, Wechsler and Wuethrich (2002) warn that quitting alcoholism is not as easy as many may think, especially if one gets addicted to it.
It becomes almost impossible to quit the habit when the nervous system gets affected. This means that those who believe that they can easily quit the habit find it a very complex task that requires not only the will power but also some medical and psychological help from experts. Some carry on with their practices of binge drinking into adulthood.
They become heavy consumers of alcohol because their system has become dependent on it. Watson (2012) notes that when this happens, it becomes complex to undertake various activities in life. The output capacity of such an individual becomes very low. Therefore, it becomes necessary to come up with measures that can help address the problem. This research will analyze short-term effects and unintended long-term consequences of binge drinking in college based on APA research formatting.
Binge drinking in colleges is an issue that many administrations have tried to address for a long time, but with minimal success. According to Watson (2012), despite the efforts put by college administrations and other relevant authorities, binge drinking still remains an issue that is affecting college students and the society at large. Jennison (2004, 660) says, “Over 40% of students nationwide have been reported to participate in binge drinking behavior.”
This is a clear indication that this is still a serious issue that must be addressed by the relevant authorities. The short-term effects of binge drinking have been assumed by users. Fatalities because of excessive consumption of alcohol are a common occurrence in some colleges in this country. Watson (2012) says that binge drinking is a serious threat to public health because of some of its effect on the body. The scholar also says that it affects the normal operations in the universities.
This may be so in cases where binge drinkers engage in activities that may disrupt the administrative duties or operations of their fellow students. The high rate of violent strikes in universities is closely associated with heavy consumption of alcohol among the learners. Binge drinking also has a direct negative impact on the academic performance of the users.
Some of the heavy alcohol consumers get so addicted to it that they are forced to drink on a daily basis. This means that they are always under the influence of alcohol or suffering from its consequences. This makes it complex to attend classes as expected from them. The addiction can become serious to the extent that such students fail to prepare for some of their exams. This would lead to low-class performance, taking longer periods than the set duration, or even dropping out of school.
This does affect not only the students but also the society at large. According to Wechsler and Wuethrich (2002), some of the secondary social problems related to binge drinking include high rates of mortalities related to alcoholism, increased aggression, high rates of suicide attempts, property damage, sexual assaults, risks associated with impaired driving, and lack of order within a college or in the society.
The study by Watson (2012) reported that binge drinking has serious unintended long-term consequences that may have serious negative consequences on the lifestyle of the users. In this report, it is clear that most of college binge drinkers who get into this habit thinking that it is easy to quit, find it challenging once they get addicted.
They develop into adulthood with habits that they never cherished when they started binge drinking. These long-term binge-drinking effects may be devastating, especially when one gets addicted to it. Jennison (2004) conducted research from 1984 to 1994 with the intention of determining the long-term effects of binge drinking among college students.
A sample of the students was determined and interviewed in 1984 when they were in college. In 1994, the researcher interviewed the sample once again to determine the long-term effects of the habit they embraced when they were in high school. It was observed that those who did not engage in binge drinking in college were less likely to be alcoholics when they become adults.
On average, they had a more organized lifestyle as compared to their counterparts who were binge drinkers (Wechsler & Wuethrich, 2002). Those who started drinking alcohol in college were more likely to remain drunkards as adults. The researcher then focused on analyzing some of the long-term effects of binge drinking among the groups.
The research by Jennison (2004) was affecting many families in the United States. One of the main problems of alcoholism is that the addicts may find it difficult to be accountable for their finances. A husband or wife would use most of the family earnings on alcohol. This will affect the quality of life of such families. When such problems are not addressed at the early stages, the family may end up living in poverty. Children will be raised in an environment that lacks the morality they need to grow into responsible adults.
They will lack role models in their parents, and as Watson (2012) notes, the chances are high that they may become irresponsible in society. Alcoholism among married adults is associated with many problems. Watson (2012) says that alcoholism and prostitution are closely intertwined. Some marriage partners may not withstand the unfaithfulness of their partners.
When they realize that their partners are cheating on them, they may get into confrontations that may break the very fabric of their marriage. Such immoral behavior may also expose such families to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDs. Children in such families may easily be orphaned (Wechsler and Wuethrich, 2002).
Alcohol dependence is one of the leading social factors that have serious negative consequences on the quality of life of their users. Alcoholics find it difficult to maintain a stable family because of their irresponsible behavior that is related to excessive binge drinking.
Watson (2012) says that one of the leading reasons why single parenting is common in the United States is because of irresponsible parents who are addicted to alcohol. According to the study by Jennison (2004), alcoholism is one of the leading causes of breakages of many marriages. The couple will be unable to withstand the presence of each other, leading to divorce.
The labor market has also been affected by alcoholism, which starts in college as a simple practice that helps them get accepted by peers. Watson (2012) observes that alcoholics’ output in the labor market is greatly reduced because of their irresponsible behavior. They report to work late and tend to treat their jobs in casual ways.
Jennison (2004) says that many adults in this country have lost their jobs because of incompetence associated with alcoholism. For those running family businesses, they put their business at risks of collapsing. Binge drinking in colleges has unintended long-lasting outcomes that may affect the lifestyle of those who are involved (Wechsler & Wuethrich 2002). This implies that measures should be put in place to combat this practice in colleges.
References
Jennison, K. (2004). The Short-Term Effects and Unintended Long-Term Consequences of Binge Drinking in College: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 30(3), 659–684.
Szuchman, L. T. (2013). Writing with style: APA style made easy. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.
Watson, S. (2012). Binge drinking. Edina, Minn: ABDO Publishers.
Wechsler, H., & Wuethrich, B. (2002). Dying to drink: Confronting binge drinking on college campuses. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale.