When asking a typical college student what they did or planned to do over the weekend, most would reply with a form of drinking – whether it be in the so-packed-you-can-hardly-move fraternities on frat row, in out-of-control Southwest, or at a small gathering of close friends at an off-campus house party.

There is no denying that UMass students drink, and drink well. Personally, this is what I look forward to the most and it is probably one of the most enjoyable pastimes of the week. However, the problem lies when students find themselves with nothing to do during the day and start drinking seven days a week, at all hours, no matter how hung-over they are.

In high school, my friends and I were the party. We raged. We raged hard. Or so I thought. We would drink two nights a weekend, not returning home either night – we definitely thought we were tough. My favorite part was gossiping with my girls the next day about what I had said or how I had acted, because it was all news to me.

Anyone who has been drunk knows the immediate side effects, the kind that make drinking fun. Slurred speech, dizziness, blacking out, increased confidence, and vomiting on your best friend after proclaiming how much she means to you are all things every drinker has experienced. Drinking both nights of the weekend and even Thursdays will not, typically, cause major damage to one’s mental health. However, everybody reacts differently to alcohol.

“Where are you Ashley, why didn’t you come back?” he asked, staring me directly in the eyes with a drunken glaze. He had got out of bed and found me hiding in a room full of guys who I knew would protect me.

“I already told you, I don’t want to see you anymore. Leave me alone.” I yelled in an upset tone.

He turned, running through the house, punching holes in every wall on his way out the door. I darted towards the angry beast,

“Stop. Stop. Please stop,” I shrieked. I tried to pull him off the door that he had cracked in half, but with all of his rotten might, he forced me off, shoving me to the floor, and took off out onto the streets of Worcester, not to be seen for the rest of the night.

I was so scared. I thought he was going to hit me. He had a big problem with alcohol and was a violent drunk, I knew ending things with him by myself would not be the best idea. He was always drunk. That was three years ago, I haven’t spoken to him since.

Alcoholism as defined by Webster is a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usual compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction. In real terms, an alcoholic is anyone who’s drinking causes problems, big or small, in their lives.

However, there are numerous personality traits to spot in alcoholics. Most alcohol abusers undergo major emotional changes, with transformations in their personalities; they experience major mood swings and extremely low self-esteem issues with a deep sense of self-worthlessness.

They frequently are insecure and, due to this fact, isolate themselves and eventually becoming loners. Alcoholics oftentimes are clinically depressed, and have suicidal thoughts. There are several other warning signs that lead to alcoholism. These include: missing meals, missing important appointments, missing classes, violence, physical and verbal abuse, getting into fights and getting in trouble with the law.

Many alcoholics are troubled with mental illnesses, and experience feelings of deep depression, anxiety, and self-worthlessness. While alcohol affects people psychologically, it also affects them socially, and even legally. A survey conducted by the U.S. Government concluded that 80 percent of all sorority women, and 86 percent of all fraternity men are binge drinkers, consuming five or more drinks an hour every time they drink.

From a more legal standpoint, alcoholism has a positive correlation to legal issues. Sixty-six percent of all assaults, 50 percent of all murders, and 50 percent of all arrests stem from alcohol abuse.

While social drinking is the favorite pastime of a vast majority of college students, a small number realize the monumental damage it can do to their mental health, grades, and legal and social aspects of life.

Before you go out partying, sit down, count how many times you drank this week. Is it more than four? Why are you drinking again? Have you experienced any of the warning signs? Will you place yourself, your friends or others in danger?

If you can’t answer, or you answered yes to any of these questions, think again about going out tonight. Take it easy. It is much better to chill for one night than to become or prove the statistics. The next time you do go out, have fun, party; but be sure you can handle what you are doing.

Do you know someone with a drinking problem? Get help. Visit the Alcoholics Anonymous Website at: http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org

Ashley Vellante is a UMass student.