Fighting the Post Spring Break Blues: Taking a Closer Look at Getting Help

By Deja Gilbert, PhD, LMHC, LPC

Chief Business Officer

Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Center

By the time the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Alcohol Awareness Month rolls around each April, many college students have already made plans to celebrate spring break.

With plenty of options available, including all-you-can drink party cruises, cheap hotel rooms situated near rows of bars, and out-of-U.S. destinations where the drinking age is often 18 or even unspecified, it’s no wonder that many college students find themselves suffering from buyer’s remorse when spring break ends.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that while on spring break, males consume an average of 18 drinks each day, while females consume an average of 10. Clearly, that amount of alcohol is dangerous and unhealthy under any circumstances, and, when coupled with other factors that often are present during spring break, can lead to interaction with law enforcement, sexual assault, injury, health problems, drunk driving and even death.

If you recently are back from spring break and experienced any sort of alcohol or drug-related issues or problems, it might be time to take a close look at your drinking habits and ask yourself if you’re at risk for developing a problem – or whether you may already have a problem.  It’s estimated that 20 percent of college students – one in five – meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder. And, each year nearly 2,000 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including car crashes.

A drinking or drug problem is not a moral failing. Addiction is a disease, and the good news is that it’s treatable. If you worry that your drug or alcohol use is a problem, you can get help.  Retreat Treatment Centers, with locations in Pennsylvania and Florida, specializes in treating college students who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

For more information on getting yourself or your friend help, please contact Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers at 855.859.8810.