Coping with Alcoholism

Alcoholism and Trigger Levels

Everyone is at some biological risk for developing alcoholism. Some people have a greater biological risk for alcoholism than others because parents, grandparents, or other family members are alcoholics. A person who has an increased biological risk for developing alcoholism has a lower trigger level than others. It is important to understand, however, that, no one who abuses alcohol is safe or immune.

In addition to her or his individual trigger levels for alcoholism, everyone has an individual tolerance level. (Tolerance refers to the amount of alcohol a person is "able to handle" at any point in time.) Tolerance levels change as a person drink more or less. Research shows that every time a person gets drunk his or her tolerance level for alcohol increases. A person will reach her or his trigger level for alcoholism when she or he drinks enough, often enough, to raise her or his tolerance level to the point where it surpasses her or his trigger level.

How To Help a Friend

Realizing that someone you care about may have a problem with drinking can be scary. What are you supposed to do and say? If you think a friend has a drinking problem, it may mean getting involved in some tough discussions and situations, but don't be scared away. You can help. Don't step back and pretend it's none of your business. Many problem drinkers say that talking with their friends helped them seek professional guidance or gain better control of their drinking.

If you are trying to figure out whether a friend has a drinking problem you need to evaluate:

Changes in his or her drinking behavior;
The reasons for his or her drinking; and
The impact of your friend's drinking on his/her relationships, studies and goals.

Your friend does not have to get "falling down drunk" or drink every night to be in trouble with alcohol. Focusing on the reasons for your friend's drinking and the impact of the drinking will often help you determine whether your friend has a drinking problem.

There are many resources available to help people with an alcohol problem as well as friends and family effected by another’s drinking. A good first step on this campus is contacting the Peer Health office by coming in during call-in/walk-in hours or calling x3140.