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Fine line between being in college and alcohol abuse...


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My best friend and room mate just turned 21 and now that she can buy her own alcohol she is drinking non stop. She went through 2 pints of liquor in 3 days, which is an average of 5 drinks (1 shot+mixer) each day. On top of that she has been drinking a few beers the past few days. Before she turned 21 she had 1-5 drinks per day often as well. She doesn't try to hide it but always has excuses like she did bad on a test or it is friday or a party or something. Thing is, we all drink a lot in college... I probably overdo the healthy limit one night a week if I go out or go to a party, but not to the point of blacking out or vomiting or anything. I'm mostly a health nut, but like to let go sometimes. My roomie doesn't usually blackout or puke either, I have just started noticing how much she actually drinks throughout the day every day and it really is kind of bothering me. Both her parents were alcoholics and one still is. My mom isn't a full blown alcoholic but has some level of dependency so this is also kind of a sensitive subject to me, my mom has a hard time sleeping and often uses a nightcap as a crutch. I see my room mate using alcohol as a crutch even if she may not be a full blown alcoholic... but it is so easy for her to justify it with college.

 

The other thing that weirds me out is that my other room mate drinks almost as much and smokes weed on a regular basis and it doesn't seem to bother me as much. I've known her longer but we aren't as close in the same way so maybe I'm less sensitive, I don't know. It could be that my one roomie feels bad about it on some level and is kind of defensive about it if it ever comes up, but the other is totally open and unapologetic so it doesn't seem as much of a problem even if it is, because she admits she does it when she is anxious or depressed.

 

I guess I'm just venting because I can't really talk to anyone except my boyfriend about this, because most of the people I talk to things about live with me. I just can't figure out where the line is between "hey, I'm in college" and "I have a drinking problem."

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amaysngrace

Being in college and turning 21 both add up to drinking. It's what you do because you can. You can finally drink. So you do. I think she drinks more because she's 21 than because she's in college. She's probably been drinking since she started college but now she drinks more.

 

I wouldn't worry about her too much just yet. I think it's normal to go through it. To proudly walk into the liquor store and buy whatever your heart desires simply because you can.

 

If you see it is still effecting her at the start of next semester I would mention it to her, or sooner if you notice a major shift in her personality. Or she starts hiding it. But other than that, I don't think what she's doing is out of the ordinary at all.

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