Drinking Alcohol Remains Issue on College Campuses as Some ‘Take it Too Far’

By AVERY SALAS/Contributor

Drinking alcohol for many college students is more than just a social activity; it is a part of the college experience.

“I’d be lying if I said beer wasn’t a part of my week at least once or twice,” Cade Spearman, a junior mechanical engineering major at UT Tyler, said. “It’s not always about getting drunk. Sometimes, it’s just how people bond, but I’ve definitely seen people take it too far.”

Spearman said he drinks occasionally and is cautious.

“There are nights when people binge, and it’s not pretty,” he said. “I’ve had friends blackout and not remember what happened. That stuff can get pretty scary real fast.”

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 30% of full-time college students ages 18-to-25 reported engaging in binge drinking within the past month. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in one sitting for men and four or more for women.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that some students go far beyond that, a pattern known as high-intensity drinking.

Spearman said he believes the pressure to drink comes from a mix of stress and wanting to fit in.

“There’s this idea that, if you’re not partying, you’re missing out,” he said. “But, honestly, sometimes people drink just to forget how stressed they are.”

Joe Farmer, a mechanical engineering major, said he doesn’t drink but sees the impact alcohol has on others.

“I’ve seen kids who’ve missed class or bombed a test because they went out drinking the night before,” Farmer said. “I don’t judge people for drinking, but I think a lot of younger students don’t know their limit, or they ignore it.”

He said peer pressure plays a big role, especially for freshmen trying to find their crowd.

“Some kids come here and it’s their first taste of freedom: no parents, no curfew. It can go downhill really fast,” Farmer said.

Gage Henson, a senior engineering major, said he’s learned the hard way that drinking can come with consequences.

“I had a rough semester my sophomore year. I was binge drinking a lot, skipping assignments, barely getting to class, Henson said. “Looking back, it wasn’t worth it. My GPA took a hit, and I had to work twice as hard to get back on track.”

Henson said he’s focused on staying healthy and maintaining balance.

“I still drink, but not like before. I’ve got exams, and my future’s too important to mess up over one more beer,” he said.

Hear what one student has to say about the drinking culture on college campuses and the downside of drinking too much. 

Morgan Sandy, a junior psychology major, shared her perspective on the issue.

“When I first came to college, I didn’t think drinking booze would be a big part of the culture,” said Sandy. “It’s not just the partying, it really starts to affect people’s lives.”