The Lantern

Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: Campus

Vince B.*, a senior at Ohio State, spent $100 on alcohol Sunday after bar-hopping Friday and downing bottles of wine on Saturday.

"Honestly, my habits are such that last night I got hammered drunk and I don't remember going to Taco Bell and I threw up," Vince said. "I would say I drink heavily three to four nights a week and drink lightly the rest and by light I mean five or six beers."

Most OSU students hear stories about students such as Vince, whose drinking can sometimes get out of control. The prevalence of tales such as these may lead many to believe that most students drink heavily when, in reality, most do not.

"High-risk drinking is more than four drinks a day, or 14 drinks per week for men, and three drinks a day, seven drinks a week for women," said Amanda Blake, a counselor at the Student Wellness Center. "The majority of OSU students consume alcohol one time a week or less often, drinking from zero to six drinks on each occasion."

Drew Mackey, a senior in political science, follows this trend.

"I really don't drink that much," Mackey said. "If it's a big party I'm definitely not going to drink."

Mackey said he does make exceptions for special occasions, such as birthdays.

"When I drink I just make sure I have a good, safe time," he said.

This sort of behavior reflects a trend that the university hopes to facilitate: responsible drinking.

"The university should promote responsible drinking more so than trying to make students stop," Blake said. "It's all about knowing where your limits are."

Students like Lindsey Scott think they have their limits set.

"I'd say I drink two or three days a week," said Scott, a junior in Latin. "I don't get really wasted a lot. It's almost below average compared to a lot of people I know, especially because I don't drink to the point of getting blacked out."

For some students, such as Vince, the limits they set are above average.

"First and foremost, after getting off my job because I'm tired of serving people all day so I go to the bar," Vince said. "When I go home there's no reason for me not to drink because I don't have class until 11:30, 12:30."

"I like to drink, I like beer a lot," he said. "When else in my life can I do this? My lifestyle facilitates how much I drink. I have no responsibilities."

Blake acknowledges students drink, but believes that students do have responsibilities require they drink less.

"I think a lot of students feel that drinking is their right," Blake said. "But some students look at college as their job, so a lot of students just don't drink during the week."

Vince also said his drinking is more of a phase. Blake would agree.

"Studies show that heavy drinkers in college are more likely to develop a problem, but I wouldn't say its an indicator," Blake said.

For students who have developed a problem, counselors such as Blake can help them.

"There are educational programs offered by the university, like the BASICS assessment or referral to counseling and consulting services. Also, AA," she said.

Blake said she thinks the most important thing to know is that students cannot compare themselves to heavy drinkers such as Vince to determine if they are healthy responsible drinkers.

"A lot of times students will think a majority of people (drink heavily)," she said. "People don't drink as much as the perception is. Our society thinks that so many people do worse than we do, so we sort of justify (our behaviors)."

*Vince did not want his last name used.

Everdeen Mason can be reached at mason.388@osu.edu.

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