| Genetic and Environmental Factors | | | | Employing an "environmental" approach (as opposed |
| According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse | | | | to a genetics-based methodology), higher education |
| and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a person's risk of developing | | | | seems to be a logical starting point for ways to reduce |
| alcoholism is 60% determined by his or her genetics | | | | alcohol problems manifested by our youth. Indeed, |
| and 40% caused by his or her environment. Assuming | | | | since many teenagers go to college and because teen |
| that these statistics are accurate, what can be done | | | | alcohol abuse IS a serious health risk, it is relevant to |
| to reduce the chances of becoming addicted to | | | | ask what college administrators can do to significantly |
| alcohol? | | | | reduce student alcohol abuse, especially when |
| Genetic Causes of Alcoholism | | | | teenagers are some of the main "offenders." It is |
| Regarding the genetic determinants of alcoholism, | | | | suggested that the following reactive and proactive |
| those who say, "nothing can be done" are not totally | | | | measures help address this issue. |
| correct. True, a person cannot change his genetics. | | | | Reactive and Proactive Measures to Help Reduce |
| Knowing, however, that there is a history of alcoholism | | | | Student Alcohol Abuse |
| in a person's family, for example, can help a person | | | | · Establish immediate consequences for |
| "prevent" this potential problem from ever starting if he | | | | excessive drinking. |
| practices total abstinence. This kind of preventative | | | | · Discipline repeat alcohol abuse offenders. |
| thinking is an example of a "proactive" approach to | | | | · Monitor the drinking activities in the sororities and |
| problem solving. | | | | fraternities. |
| More Proactive Problem Solving | | | | · Notify parents about their children's drinking |
| The following illustration, however, is an even more | | | | activities. |
| extreme example of "proactive" problem solving that | | | | · Talk to the owners of local drinking |
| can affect the genetic basis of alcoholism. Maria, a | | | | establishments so that minors and/or intoxicated |
| young lady who drinks very infrequently, starts to date | | | | students are not served alcohol. |
| a young man named Kirk. As their relationship | | | | · Eliminate mixed messages about alcohol (for |
| develops, Maria starts to notice that Kirk gets drunk on | | | | instance, removing alcohol advertisements from |
| a regular basis. In fact, Kirk gets intoxicated at least | | | | stadiums and from sports brochures). |
| two or three nights every week. What is especially | | | | · Inform and educate students about the long-term |
| problematic about Kirk's drinking is that he gets angry | | | | negative consequences of alcohol abuse. |
| and combative when he drinks excessively. On | | | | · Increase the number of alcohol-free social and |
| numerous occasions, Maria has tried to encourage Kirk | | | | recreational activities that are attractive to students. |
| to seek professional help, but each time she starts to | | | | Generalizing the Results |
| discuss his drinking, Kirk gets extremely defensive, | | | | With additional effort and some more thought, it seems |
| starts yelling at her, and then goes to a bar to drink | | | | reasonable to think that alcoholism experts and college |
| with his buddies. After a year of riding an emotional | | | | administrators will be able to generate even more |
| roller coaster, experiencing numerous hurtful | | | | ways to effectively reduce alcohol abuse at institutions |
| arguments, and going through many difficult | | | | of higher education. Once this is accomplished, |
| alcohol-related situations, Maria finally decides to break | | | | moreover, perhaps their findings can be adapted so |
| up with Kirk. What were the major factors for the | | | | that they will "work" in other institutions such as junior |
| breakup? Maria wants to have children and can't see | | | | and senior high schools, boy scouts, girl scouts, |
| having them with a violent and angry man who is so | | | | churches, camps, and so on. |
| dependent on drinking alcohol. Moreover, Maria figured | | | | Conclusion |
| that since Kirk is exhibiting such irresponsible behavior | | | | If a person's risk of developing alcoholism is 60% |
| in a dating relationship, he could possibly get even | | | | determined by his or her genetics and 40% caused by |
| worse if they were to get married. | | | | his or her environment, it is asserted that the problem |
| In this illustration, by breaking up with Kirk, Maria has | | | | of alcohol addiction can be addressed from both |
| stopped a negative cycle from going any further. | | | | genetic and environmental frameworks. Indeed, by |
| Stated differently, by deciding to end her relationship | | | | using a "proactive" problem solving approach, the |
| with Kirk, Maria "prevented" the genetics part of the | | | | genetics part of the problem frequently can be |
| equation from ever becoming an issue. | | | | eliminated. Furthermore, by focusing on various |
| Concerning Alcoholism, Age Matters | | | | situational and behavioral factors, the environmental |
| Another important alcohol-related statistic articulated | | | | dynamics that help establish and reinforce alcohol |
| by the NIAAA is that the earlier a person starts | | | | abuse and alcoholism can be significantly reduced. |
| drinking alcohol, the more likely she will continue to drink | | | | Copyright 2007 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved |
| her entire life. This being the case, it therefore makes | | | | Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article |
| sense to look for ways that will significantly reduce | | | | as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit |
| alcohol abuse by teens, preteens, and by young adults. | | | | the article in any way, and give the author credit. |
| An Environmental Framework | | | | |