Alcohol consumption plays a large role in the social lives of many college students. Unfortunately, drinking can sometime spiral out of control. Students can cause themselves physical and mental harm.
There’s no magic solution that will curb alcohol abuse. But PennMod — a student-run, staff-monitored support group started this fall that advocates alcohol moderation over abstinence — is a worthy program that has the potential to help address the issue.
It may be hard for students who have drinking problems to decide to seek help. Programs that insist upon cutting out alcohol all together may seem especially intimidating. PennMod can reach students who might not otherwise be reached by providing an alternative to programs that focus on abstention.
But PennMod is important because it can do more than just serve as an alternative to groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Students — even those who aren’t alcoholics — often engage in binge drinking, and it’s important for all students to engage in responsible behaviors and drink in a way that will reduce their likelihood of being harmed. The group can help students with current and past drinking habits to make healthier choices.
For many students, college is the time when they first start to drink or drink regularly. Hopefully, groups like PennMod can address issues like alcohol abuse before students get older and issues get worse.
