Signs of Alcoholism in College Students

College is often a place where rules and guidelines go out the window. Students gain freedom and independence they did not have previously while living under the roof of their parents. Coupled with parties and alcoholic events, the drinking environment is prevalent at college. If you are worried that you or someone you know might be falling crutch to alcoholic tendencies, make sure to get help if you notice these signs.

Neglecting Responsibilities

• After a big night out, people often experience a bit of hangover. However, if a college student's repeated outings begin to interfere with daily life, this is a sign there might be a problem. Repeatedly neglecting responsibilities because of drinking is a sign of alcoholism. A student might begin missing class repeatedly or failing to turn in assignments. A college student will start performing poorly in class or flunking class and start skipping commitments like friend's birthdays or events that used to be meaningful to him because of constant hangovers. When a student starts checking out on life, something is definitely wrong.

Misuse of Alcohol

• If a college student begins to use alcohol in situations that are physically dangerous, this is another sign of alcoholism. Drinking and driving, operating another form of machinery while drinking or mixing alcohol with prescription medication are abuses of alcohol that highlight impending alcoholism.

Legal Trouble

• When a student begins to run into legal problems do to her drinking, alcoholism is the cause. Getting kicked out of dorm facilities for causing violence, being arrested by campus security, participating in drunk and disorderly conduct, verbally or physically abusing teachers, peers or police officers and incurring driving offenses like DUIs and DWIs are all instances that, when repeated often, signal alcoholism.

Exacerbation

• Another sign of alcoholism is if a student continues to drink even though this alcohol use is causing detrimental effects in relationships. For example, if a student's girlfriend of boyfriend would be upset if a student ends up drinking with friends, but the student decides to drink anyways, this can be a sign of alcoholism.

Increased Tolerance

• Tolerance is a major warning sign of alcoholism. College students that have to drink a lot more than they used to to feel "buzzed" are showing growing signs of tolerance, which is a warning sign of alcoholism. When a college student has to drink more at the keg party, frat function or out for a standard night on the town with friends in order to get the tipsy feeling, this means increased tolerance is occurring. Over time, a student heading down the path toward alcoholism will need greater quantities of alcohol to feel the same effects that he used to with smaller amounts.

Withdrawal

• Withdrawal symptoms are another major warning sign of alcoholism. If a college student needs a drink in the morning to steady her shakes or if she experiences anxiety or jumpiness, trembling, sweating, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depression, irritability, headaches, loss of appetite or fatigue, these can be withdrawal symptoms. Drinking heavily creates a dependence of the body on alcohol, and withdrawal symptoms arise when the person no longer takes the substance.