6 Signs Your College Partying Has Gotten Out of Control
Busy schedules, jobs, internships, and extracurricular activities consume a large portion of a college student’s life. Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to escape and simply have fun. So when you do get out there, you want to let your hair down and get “wasted.” There’s certainly no secret that colleges have a LOT of parties, but if you’re partying a little too much, it can begin to get the best of you.
Though partying is all in good fun, there is a very thin line between enjoying yourself and being out of control. If you party often and hard, it can begin to affect your education, personal relationships, and health. In some cases, it can even lead to alcoholism, which would require treatment. Rehab facilities offer both men and womens alcohol treatment programs to help you quit drinking and reclaim your life.
So how do you know if you’re simply enjoying life on campus or if you’re partying is getting out of hand? These six signs should be red flags:
1. You Can’t Seem to Get to Sleep
One would assume that sleep deprivation comes with the territory of being a college student, but when it’s a direct result of partying, it could have worsening effects on the body. As you know, it can already be pretty taxing to try to get sleep when you have exams and assignments to study for. So when you add late-night partying, drugs, and alcohol to the mix, it’s a recipe for disaster. Since your body replenishes and releases toxins best at night, failing to get a good six to eight hours on a regular basis could prove detrimental to your health. Weakened immune system, weight gain, and impaired ability to focus are just a few of the effects of lack of sleep.
Jared Cano posted photos of himself smoking pot photo/Facebook
2. Your Grades are Slipping
As you might imagine, if you’re not getting enough sleep at night or if you’re partying more than you’re studying, chances are your grades will be impacted. There’s also the fact that alcohol and drug consumption can lead to lowered levels of concentration, which can alter your academic performance. So if you notice a dramatic change in your grades or your ability to be productive and focus, this could mean you need to party a little less.
3. You’re Moody
A common sign of potential drug or alcohol abuse is mood swings or changes in behavior. If you’ve been using illicit drugs or downing a bottle more often, you can expect to see it reflected in your behavior. There’s also the added stress of not getting enough sleep and receiving poor grades, which can alter your mood as well.
4. Arguing with Friends More
If you’re the type to get so wasted that you’re out of control and belligerent, there is a possibility that you could cause conflict with your friends or roommates. They are now responsible for your well-being. Whether they have to drive you home, pick you up off the floor, or clean up a pool of vomit in the dorm room hallway, after a while they’re going to get sick and tired of it. When they confront you about it the next day, you may not feel up to dealing with it and treat them poorly.
5. Trouble at Home
Your relationships at home can also be altered by partying too much. When you pay a visit home for the weekend you likely won’t be in the mood to be as interactive as you were before your partying days. You may isolate yourself, ignore siblings, or disengage during family dinners, which can cause a lot of chaos in the home. Naturally, your parents might address the issue and you’ll likely react in a negative way.
6. You’re Relying on Drugs and Alcohol
A telltale sign that your partying and use of drugs and alcohol is getting out of control is when you become dependent on the substances. Because drinking and using drugs is often associated with the college lifestyle, it can be hard for you to tell when you’ve crossed the line. However, if you’ve reached the point that you can’t go to a function or be around your friends without some drugs or alcohol present, this is a sign of dependency. Once you’ve reached a level of dependency, you begin to develop a tolerance which essentially turns into addiction. It is at this point that your body feels it needs the substance and quitting the habit becomes difficult without professional help.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with wanting to have a little fun while you’re in college. However, there is a thin line between partying hard and addiction, and you want to make sure you don’t cross it. If you recognize yourself in any of the above mentioned signs, it is a good idea to get help. Rehab programs are a good, discreet way to get the treatment you need.
Author: Ravi Kumarr Gupta
photo “Tbone” by AB via wikimedia commons
