Few FS students abuse alcohol, statistics show

By Holly Grover
The Collegian

At Fresno State, statistics show the majority of students are responsible when they drink. The Fresno State Social Norms Web site says, “Ninety-six percent of students reported no negative consequences on their academic performance caused by alcohol.”

Sam Gitchel, Fresno State’s Wellness Services Coordinator, said, “Most students who drink don’t experience negative consequences from their drinking. The most common negative consequence is a hangover.”

Gitchel said, “Binge drinking is a term many people in my field steer clear of. It seems a little inflammatory.” Gitchel also said the term binge drinking is very subjective. According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a binge is “a pattern of drinking alcohol that corresponds to consuming five or more drinks for a male and four or more drinks for a female in about two hours.” One drink is 12 oz. of beer, 4 or 5 oz. of wine, or 1 shot of liquor.

Binge drinking is “a problem for a small number of students at Fresno State, but the vast majority don’t drink, or drink at less than binge level,” Gitchel said.

At Fresno State, “Sixty-six percent of students drink once, twice, or not at all in a typical month,” says the Fresno State Social Norms Web site. Only “0.7 percent of students drink every day, but 32 percent believe the typical student drinks every day,” according to the Fresno State Social Norms Web site.

“Learn how to drink safely and support your friends in drinking safely,” Gitchel said. The Fresno State Web site also indicates 98 percent of Fresno State students “usually or always practice safer drinking behaviors.” Things you can do to be safer when you drink are using a designated driver, eating before you drink, avoiding drinking games and having less than one drink per hour.

There are resources available on campus for help with alcohol problems. Counseling is available from Psychological Services in the health center. Students can also take the online e-CHUG assessment at www.csufresno.edu/alcohol to determine if their alcohol use could be the beginning of a problem. If a student’s drinking appears to be a serious problem, he or she can be referred to treatment at the health center. “Sometimes people prefer to go to medical doctors,” but counselors are usually the best fit, Gitchel said.

Still, Gitchel believes alcohol abuse among students is not as big of a problem as other issues that can negatively impact them.

“Binge drinking is not the biggest issue,” Gitchel said. “Video games are a bigger academic problem for sure.”

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