Over the decades, Ohio University has gained a reputation for being a party school. While some may argue — myself included — that the title is not as warranted in recent years, OU was ranked by multiple publications to be one of the top in the country. And a large part of party culture, not only in Athens but in American party culture in general, is alcohol.
However, many people — myself included — refrain from drinking for one reason or another. Personally, drinking has no appeal to me. I also have an addictive personality, so I choose not to go down that path. Unfortunately, that causes me to be a bit of an outlier.
According to UC Santa Cruz, about 65% of college students have had alcohol in the past month. And of those who do drink, roughly 50% engage in binge drinking, or excessive consumption in a short amount of time, according to the Alcohol Rehab Guide. On the contrary, about 28% do not drink at all, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This number is up from around 20% in 2002.
Binge drinking can cause an array of both physical and mental health issues. Some of these include stroke, liver cancer, a weakened immune system and depression. Another effect of alcohol is the changing of personality, such as increased reactivity and anger.
Although the percentage of students in my shoes is not small, it can still feel socially isolating, especially if you do not know others who are sober. While some universities have social events aimed at creating a safe, alcohol-free environment, such as the University of Michigan’s Sober Skate, most colleges do not offer events like this. OU does have one substance free residence hall, Bush, and one group, R.I.S.E., aimed at those recovering from addiction, but other safe spaces for those who are sober are few and far between.
According to a survey by Niche, OU has an A+ rating in the party scene category, with Fest Season and Halloween ranking as the biggest social events of the year. Along with these events, which have a heavy focus on drinking, Athens is home to over 20 bars, only further encouraging the drinking culture. For those of us who choose not to engage, these events can cause a feeling of isolation and loneliness.
There are a few ways to combat these feelings. One of the more popular is the Dry January movement, where people are encouraged to not drink for the entire month of January. While this is a good cause to raise awareness about the negative aspects of alcohol and push people to drink less, it does not address the roots of the issue, as many participants go back to their normal drinking habits shortly after.
More events across college campuses like UMichigan’s Sober Skate would allow for more people to meet and interact in a more positive light, rather than under the influence. Organizations and groups aimed at promoting social connections between non-drinkers in a safe space are also crucial to combating loneliness.
Resources such as clubs and events aimed at being alcohol free, movements like Dry January and greater awareness of the negative effects of drinking on the body are just some ways of not only connecting people but helping to change health outcomes and the societal view of alcohol and drinking.
Ethan Herx is a sophomore studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
