Dangers of Alcohol Consumption
Harry Lawless

1. Alcohol consumption is associated with a number of physical and social problems including
   About 2/3 of violent behaviors on campus
   Almost half of all physical injuries
   About 1/3 of all emotional difficulties among students
   Just under 30% of all academic problems
   $15 billion in health care costs (12% of total adult)

2. In the short run, physical problems include
   
   reduced physical coordination
   reduced mental alertness, poor decision making,
   staggering, slurred speech, double vision,
   mood swings, unconsciousness

3. Long term chronic consumption of high levels of alcohol leads to
   
   higher risk for heart disease
   for liver disease,
   circulatory problems, peptic ulcers,
   various forms of cancer, irreversible brain damage

4. Alcohol is addictive.

   Phase 1:
   

   alcohol dependency may start with social drinking
   and is accompanied by psychological relief
   It proceeds to use of alcohol for stress management
   with developing tolerance
   Phase 2:
   
   As drinking increases, memory blackour periods occur
   The dependency sets in - alcohol becomes a need
   consumption is heavy,
   but the person may seem to function normally.
   Drinking before social situations is common.

   Phase 3:
   
   Taking a drink sets up a chain reaction (canąt stop).
   May łgo on the wagon˛ but not for long.
   Morning drinking begins.

   Phase 4:
   
   Daily intoxication, all day long.
   Loss of job/social problems set it. Tolerance drops.
   Physical problems become obvious.

The Alcohol Quantity and Frequency Fact Sheet, put together by this University, makes the following recommendations:

1. Zero alcohol is an acceptable choice.
2. One drink per hour will let the body metabolize the alcohol.
3. Two drinks per day are the limit for women
4. Three drinks per day are recommended for men.
5. Four days per week drinking (maximum) is the limit.

1. EARS: 255 -EARS. Confidential peer counseling by phone or in person (211 Willard Straight)
2. Employee assistance program (EAP) - 273 - 1129. Confidential short-term counseling run through Family and Children's Services of Ithaca.
3. Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County, 201 Green Street, 274 - 6288. Alcohol education, counseling, also for those affected by someone else's drinking.
4. ALERT - drug and alcohol education, research literature and educational pamphlets, 3rd floor, Gannett, 255 - 4728