Alcohol awareness screenings offered on campus

As the end of the year comes to a close and college students' stress increases because of final exams and the search for summer jobs, some students turn to alcohol to distract them from the stress in their lives. \nTo help students better understand the effects and risks associated with alcohol, IU Counseling and\nPsychological Services is sponsoring alcohol awareness screenings in the north side of the Herman B Wells Library and the atrium of the School of Education from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. \nThe School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation will also hold a screening from 4 to 6 p.m. today. Students are encouraged to attend the free screenings to receive information about alcohol, as well as ask any questions they might have concerning their own alcohol habits or those of a friend or family member. \n"We feel that at the beginning of April, we can have this screening and reach out to students who have a lot of stress from finals and dead week," said Kenin Krieger, a graduate student and co-chair of the screening. "It's also a good time to educate students about alcohol before Little 500."\nAlthough the prevalence of alcohol on college campuses has desensitized some students to its dangers, many students across the country are overwhelmed by its effects. According to the Core Institute, an organization that surveys college drinking practices, as reported by Factsontap.org, 300,000 of today's college students will eventually die of alcohol-related causes such as drunk driving, cirrhosis of the liver, various cancers or heart disease. The researchers also found that 159,000 first-year college students will drop out of school after their first year for alcohol or other drug-related practices. \nAlthough the abuse of alcohol can have long-lasting effects on the body leading to liver and heart disease, it can also have severe effects on a person's mental state. Depression is commonly associated with alcohol abuse. Chris Meno, a psychologist at CaPS , said many students who visit CaPS are dealing with issues often linked to alcohol. \n"A lot of students come in just wondering if perhaps they are abusing or using alcohol inappropriately," Meno said. "Sometimes, they'll come in to discuss other problems and as we learn more about their life, we'll find that they are using alcohol inappropriately and we'll find that alcohol is a secondary problem."\nIf a student were to attend the alcohol awareness screening and realize that he or she might have a problem with \nalcohol, Krieger suggested that he or she visit CaPS or the Center for Human Growth in the School of Education to receive more information. \nBecause everyone's risk factors are different, Krieger said it might take further discussion between a professional and a student concerned about alcohol before establishing whether or not the student is using it inappropriately. \n"We might look at family history, medical history or other mental issues. (People with these backgrounds) may have more of a concern than others," Krieger said. \nThe Core Institute also found that children who grew up in homes with parental alcoholism are three to four times more likely to become alcoholics. \nAlthough binge drinking is often the main concern with college students, Meno said any alcohol consumption can lead to problems when used inappropriately. \n"Drugs and alcohol are often used to self-medicate or used as a distraction from (students) feeling whatever it is they are feeling," Meno said. \nStudents exhibiting these behaviors and risk factors are encouraged to attend the alcohol screening to better understand their own alcohol habits or those of another. The screenings offer a wide range of information and will also feature a raffle for a free massage, beer goggles to simulate intoxication and games of corn-toss. \n"Anyone who has ever considered they might be using alcohol inappropriately should come to this screening and get as much information as they can," Meno said.