Introduction
Alcohol consumption is a significant concern in modern society since it has long revealed the negative consequences of addiction and excessive use. Among those largely influenced are minors who later face the consequences of both psychological and physical repercussions, along with increased mortality. Therefore, in order to decrease alcohol misuse among young adults and adolescents, it is necessary to incorporate educational programs and review cultural norms.
College Students’ Alcohol Consumption
Binge drinking is a feature of a significant number of college alcohol issues. Drinking in this manner might be dangerous to an individual’s health and well-being. Repeated alcohol consumption over time can harm the liver and other organs (Hanson, Venturelli, Fleckenstein, 2020). Moreover, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) shows that 1,519 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 have died in the last years as a result of alcohol-related accidental injuries, including car accidents (NIH, 2022). Additionally, over 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are allegedly assaulted by fellow students who have consumed alcohol (NIH, 2022). Sometimes specific episodes of drinhking wine or beer can reveal the problem since young people use it as a method of stress sublimation. This is another the reason why alcohol consumption among students is a significant concern and requires adressing to psychological treatment.
Despite the fact that many young adults drink, few are aware of the consequences. According to some data, universities can reduce student drinking by mandating alcohol instruction (NIH, 2022). Multiple various formats may be used for this, including a class during first-year orientation or a required online course that individuals may access whenever suitable. Along with the health dangers of excessive drinking, it can contain some of the alarming figures described above. Another significant aspect of the surroundings that might affect college students’ drinking is the media (NIH, 2022). Minimizing the damaging impacts of alcohol industry promotion and utilizing media in a positive way can affect change.
Cultural Influences on Alcohol Views
As for culture, it plays a major role in perceptions of alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption is perceived as normal when regularly ingested at mealtime, on special occasions, or for health reasons when consumed within control. Drinking at least one glass of red wine daily lowers a person’s risk of developing heart disease. This belief is reinforced by the media and commercials. For both teenagers and young adults, some initial social media usage can be linked to a higher chance of increasing drink regularity over time.
The usage of social media, which involves uploading images of individuals drinking, may be a component of the cultural norm of drunkenness among young people. As a result, this might promote the use and normalize intoxication. Additionally, participating on social media may indicate increased sociability both online and offline, which may have an impact on increased alcohol consumption, mainly if the drinking takes place in social situations. Moreover, such factor as religion should be taken into account. In Christianity, taking alcohol has become a normal practice and a part of church service. Red wine is considered Jesus’ blood, hence it is the revelation of respect to him to drink a cup of it on a religious holiday. Finally, alcohol consumption has become a part of numerous mentalities. For instance, in Georgia, people drink wine instead of juice since it reveals the traditions of their cuisine. Therefore, culture plays a vital role in the acceptance and promotion of alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
It is vital to include educational programs and analyze cultural norms in order to reduce alcohol usage among young adults and adolescents. Binge drinking is a common element of alcohol-related problems in colleges. Alcohol abuse over an extended period of time can be harmful to the liver and other organs. Data suggests that requiring alcohol education at colleges can lower student drinking. As for culture, it has a significant impact on how people see drinking. When drunk in moderation for health reasons, on special occasions, or as part of a daily mealtime routine, alcohol is considered normal.
References
Hanson, G. R., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2020). Drugs & society (14th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
NIH. (2022). College drinking. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Web.