Between the post-tutorial pint in the New Bar and the hordes of seshing undergrads overtaking the streets of Cork from Thursday’s onward, we sure quite enjoy our booze. And while it may be fun to grab a drink with a few friends to unwind and forget about the stress of college life, students can sometimes feel pressured to drink more than they want or should. Freshers, you are about to embark on a crazy adventure called college life. Here is some information on the student drinking culture that may be beneficial to you.

If you or anyone you know is having trouble with alcohol or alcoholism, the HSE National Drug & Alcohol Helpline can be reached by calling 1800 459 459, or by emailing helpline@hse.ie.

The student community in Ireland is particularly fond of binge-drinking, which is defined as drinking 4-5 drinks (or more) in the space of two hours. In the latest National Alcohol Diary Survey (conducted by the Irish Health Research Board in 2014), it was shown that almost two-thirds (64.3%) of 18-24 year-old drinkers consumed six or more standard drinks on a typical single drinking session. The same survey demonstrated that in this same age group, 28% of young men and 22% of young women consumed their low-risk weekly alcohol guideline in just one sitting. And although these figures are not surprising when you look at most student parties, it has a lot of frightening implications. Excessive and regular binge drinking sessions can lead to many physical and mental health issues. These issues can include and are not limited to: stomach disease, accidents, strokes, violence, sexual abuse, cancer and depression. I will talk about some of the resources available around campus if to deal with these issues later in this article.

To read the rest of this article please follow this link: https://uccexpress.ie/alcohol-a-freshers-guide/