| Most
students will drink during their college years and some will
have negative consequences as a result of their drinking. When
drinking interferes with school, work, relationships, self-esteem,
health or is causing financial or legal trouble it is PROBLEM
DRINKING. Problem drinking is defined not so much by
the amount and/or frequency of drinking, but in the existence
of negative consequences in any aspect of one’s life.
These aspects also apply to use of other drugs. Even one of
these signs may indicate that someone has a problem controlling
his or her alcohol use and might need professional help. For
more information or assistance please contact the Center for
Addiction and Substance Abuse at 974-2677.
Academic Problems:
- Drop in grades
- Class absenteeism or tardiness due to drinking/drug use
or hangovers
- Difficulty studying or working due to alcohol/drug use
Personal Problems:
- Mood and/or personality changes
- Avoidance/denial when confronted
- Damage to family and friend relationships due to alcohol/drug
use
- Excessive amounts of money spent on alcohol/drugs
- Drinking/drug use results in problems that wouldn’t
usually arise if sober
- Using alcohol/drugs as an escape or to cope with problems,
including stress
Behavioral Change
- Switching peer groups and finding other heavy drinkers/drug
users as friends
- Needing alcohol/drugs to socialize and feel comfortable
with others
- A tendency to continue drinking/using drugs after companions
have finished
- Drinking/using more than peers: gulping, drinking between
rounds, arriving earlier at bar or party,
- Encouraging friends to "drink up" or use other
drugs
- Changing lifestyle to accommodate high risk drinking or
drug use practices, i.e., scheduling only late
classes, or no Friday classes so as not to interfere with
drinking/drug use
- Loss of control – unable to consistently control
amount of alcohol or drugs consumed and how long the drinking/drug
use episode lasts
Disciplinary Problems:
- Property damage while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs, especially more than one incident
- Vehicular arrest for DUI or other alcohol/drug-related
arrests
- Repeated violations of University alcohol/drug policy
Health Problems:
- Injuries to self or others while under the influence of
alcohol/drugs
- Experiencing alcohol poisoning/overdose
- Occurrence of blackouts (person appears to be coherent,
but later has no memory of events)
- Family history of chemical dependency
- Frequent or severe hangovers
- Increased tolerance for alcohol/drugs
- Withdrawal symptoms after prolonged heavy drinking or
drug use (may not occur with all drugs)
For more information or assistance:
USF Students may call 974-2831
Faculty/Staff may call 974-5469
Source: Adapted from the University
of Virginia, Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education
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