Shyaholics turn to alcohol when in uncomfortable settings

nge drinking among college students might not be just a result of the newfound freedom of being away from home. It could be an expression of shyness, according to research performed by IU-Southeast psychology professor Bernardo Carducci.\nCarducci founded the Shyness Research Institute at IU-Southeast nine years ago and through his research noticed the phenomenon of shy people abusing alcohol in social settings.\nSome shy people drink alcohol to overcome their social anxieties, Carducci said. He classifies them as "shy alcoholics" and said they make up 10 percent to 12 percent of the entire "traditionally shy" population, which accounts for 40 percent of the general population.\nDrinking is a big problem among college students, he said, and most develop shy characteristics after moving from their homes to college campuses. College students aren't sure how to communicate with other people because they're in a completely new environment.\n"Students' shyness is intensified in periods of transition," he said. "They're uncertain, and they don't know what to do. (Binge drinking) is not a matter of expressing freedom, but it's a matter of uncertainty."\nAlthough students drink to overcome their social anxiety, the college environment also encourages these students to drink, said Ruth Gassman, executive director of Indiana Prevention Resource Center.\n"If alcohol wasn't promoted so much, then students wouldn't feel the need to use alcohol," she said.\nCarducci said alcohol advertising shows people drinking with a bunch of friends and purposely targets vulnerable college students.\n"Lonely and isolated people are vulnerable to that message," he said. "Advertisements try to get you to believe that loneliness will disappear when you drink alcohol."\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he realizes drinking alcohol is associated with having fun and gaining friends.\n"It's subliminated in advertising," he said. "It's promoted as a part of a fun activity. It's saying you can't have fun unless there's alcohol."\nMcKaig said IU is trying to combat the image of alcohol as a means of having fun. The Union Board sponsors alcohol-free events such as lectures and movies, and some campus facilities, including the Student Recreational Sports Center, remain open late at night. \nHe said programs have been established to prevent students from going out and drinking alcohol, but "we could do more," he said.\nGassman said access to alcohol should be limited on college campuses and new alternatives to drinking should be encouraged.\n"If you couldn't buy it, then you would not be able to use it," she said. "There are dry campuses in this country, and they may not be drinking as heavily. If alcohol wasn't as acceptable, then it would be easier to reach out to something else."\nFor shy alcoholics to overcome their dependency on alcohol, Carducci suggests showing up early to parties and getting used to the surroundings. That way, he said, shy alcoholics won't feel the need to drink because they won't feel as uncomfortable. He said drinking to overcome shyness can lead to serious consequences.\n"If you have to drink to be social, then you have a drinking problem," he said.