How much drinking is too much for students?

While studies suggest that alcohol has some health benefits, many students drink substantially more than what is considered healthy.

Studies show drinking alcohol in moderation can help heart function and clear arteries, but college students take that too far said Anthony Williams, public information specialist for the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration.  

"On average, college students in the U.S. purchase an estimated 430 million gallons of alcoholic beverages, including 4 billion cans of beer annually," Williams said.

Donna Hawkins, director of West Virginia Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said 25 percent of college students are faced with academic consequences from drinking, such as missing class or lower grades.

"We counsel so many college students who feel like they really have a problem with this," Hawkins said. "I don't think most of them realize what they are doing to their bodies and minds."

"It's not like it's an uncommon thing for college students to drink," said Travis Wallace, freshman psychology major from Norfolk, Va. "There are just so many opportunities to, like football games and stuff."

Stephanie Belford, nutrition specialist for the Prestera Center, said drinking does a lot of damage to a young body.

"Alcohol is not digested like food and instead goes straight to the bloodstream, which causes a sensation of going straight to the head, especially when drinking on an empty stomach," Belford said.  "Alcohol functions as a depressant narcotic, slows brain activity and slows judgment."

 She said weight gain is already an issue for college students but is more prevalent in drinkers.  

"A recent study found people who drank alcohol before a meal ate faster and ate one-third more calories than when they drank water or juice instead," Belford said.  "Calories from snacking plus the calories from alcohol are considered two of the biggest contributors to weight gain for college students."

   She said students need to realize that bodies react to alcohol gender-specifically.  

   "Women handle alcohol differently from men because women tend to be smaller and their bodies usually contain a higher proportion of fat and a lower portion of fluid," Belford said.  "Most people need at least an hour to metabolize half an ounce of alcohol, approximately the amount found in one beer.

   "It may be hard to get a handle on your personal alcohol limit," Hawkins said. "It gets harder every day for college students, especially big partiers, because there is the temptation of alcohol absolutely everywhere."

   Hawkins said the patients she speaks with think a hangover can be cured quickly and will not have much effect on school or studies.

   "Popular remedies such as black coffee or a cold shower may make you think you're more alert, but in reality you're not," Hawkins said.  "Your brain is not operating at full capacity.  Only time cures intoxication."

   Whitney Hunter can be reached at howell38@marshall.edu.