Alcoholism alcohol abuse and heavy drinking: Irish college males perspectives on alcohol-related problems

This article analyses the perspectives that undergraduate students have on alcohol-related issues. Key differences and distinctions between relevant terms are introduced, namely alcoholism, alcohol abuse and heavy drinking, in an attempt to explore issues around alcohol use and abuse as perceived by Irish young adults. The research reports on a small scale qualitative study focused on interviewing three third-year college males at the University of Limerick. The interviews investigated their drinking behaviours and their experiences which revolve around alcohol consumption. Intimately tied to these facts are key socio-cultural and ideological aspects of alcohol use among young people. The results show that the young men’s popular opinions related to alcohol lead them to believe that they are not in danger from heavy drinking in their daily lives. There is significant, documented, evidence in college males’ lifestyles of a lack of restraint in alcohol consumption. This research explores their drinking behaviours and concludes with a need for enhanced awareness of, and further education on alcohol and its related problems, aiming to create a supportive environment that helps young people make healthy choices.