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Thursday, April 13, 2000 Dialogue   Students beware the world of alcoholism   Erin Daugherty GUEST COLUMNIST   Alcohol is the drug of choice for many UK students. Some students say it relieves stress, helps them relax, allows them to escape loneliness and to meet people.   Although many students may think incorporating alcohol into weekend activities brings about good times, University Health Service and Counseling and Testing Center officials suggest that students evaluate their drinking habits.   Many college students don't just consume alcohol, they binge drink. Binge drinking - having five or more drinks in one sitting - can have serious consequences on your physical, social, emotional and academic life.   "Drinking a large quantity of alcohol over a short period of time can damage your body and could even be fatal," said Ruth Staten, Ph.D., substance abuse specialist at University Health Service and associate professor in the College of Nursing.   Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, consuming too much can cause you to stop breathing or choke to death on your own vomit.   Bodily harm is not the only possible consequence of heavy drinking. Social behavior is often altered when you binge drink, and social inhibitions frequently are disregarded.   There can be many additional negative consequences of drinking to the point of impairment - hangovers, poor school performance, running into trouble with the police or authorities, traffic accidents and fighting or arguments.   "Students are drinking to get drunk all nights of the week now, rather than just for something to do on the weekends."   Common indicators of a drinking problem are blackouts, feeling the need to cut back on consumption, choosing or dropping friends based on their drinking habits, waking up craving a drink and feeling guilty about how much you have consumed.   "Basically, if you suspect you have a drinking problem or someone tells you they are concerned about your drinking, you probably have a problem."   Although some students may feel cutting out alcohol is out of the question, University Health Service and Counseling and Testing Center officials urge students to reconsider their drinking habits and the harm drinking can do to their bodies and minds.   "The most important thing to do is make good judgments about your health, physically, emotionally and academically," Staten said.   Guest Columnist Erin Daugherty works for the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Public Relations. Her views do not necessarily represent those of the Kernel.   Current Headlines Dialogue

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