Freshman Julie Mulare is already familiar with the usual routine of weekend evenings on the Tufts campus.
"The only thing that surprises me is that no matter where you go, you never have to pay for it ... there is always a supply of alcohol," she said.
Like many other students, Mulare recognizes that alcohol plays a role in the social lives of Tufts students.
Mulare's friend Melanie Hyman, also a freshman, agreed. "Basically, it's something that's really casual," she said. "Even if you're not doing anything -- even if you're just socializing at a party -- everyone has a beer in their hand."
Hyman believes students have different reasons for drinking. "Some [students] have the intention of getting drunk tonight; others just don't feel comfortable without a beer in their hand," she said.
Tufts students -- and the drinking culture on the Tufts campus -- are no different from students at most universities. "[According to a study conducted] four years ago, we tend to be pretty similar to schools that are like us in terms of size, demographic, [located] in the North East ... we're within that range," Director of Alcohol and Drug Prevention Services Margot Abels said.
Abels said that campus-wide trends vary every year. "It seems like there are more people drinking hard liquor, doing shots," Abels said. "It seems like a number of schools are seeing a rise in the use of hard liquor."
Tufts'Alcohol and Drug Prevention Services works closely with judicial affairs to help track trends. Surveys have been circulated and studies are currently underway to further explore drinking on the Tufts campus.
The Unofficial Resource Guide of the Alcohol and Drug Program of Health Services lists statistics related to excessive alcohol use on campuses. Risk factors include having fraternities and sororities, prominent athletic teams, and a location in the Northeast.
"We are just starting to work with fraternities and sororities," Abels said. "[Fraternities are] the center of social life for many students, and with that come responsibilities."
"They have a reputation they are up against, some of it based on truth ... and some of it blown out of proportion."
Tufts Addiction Treatment Specialist Jeanne Heley said that some students may drink and not have problems, while other students may not be able to manage the same balance.
"The primary way [to tell if you have a problem with alcohol] is if it interferes with [your] functioning," Heley said.
Heley suggests a good way for students to determine whether they have a drinking problem is to ask, "Have I experienced changes in my behavior in ways that have had negative consequences for myself or for other people?"
Abels suggests that Tufts students should also be aware of friends' behavior. "Saying something [to a friend who may have an alcohol problem] can be amazingly messy, and there aren't perfect words, but if you are coming from a genuine place, that's what's important," she said.
"One rule of thumb is not to talk to them while they are intoxicated or you are intoxicated," Heley said. "It needs to be a time and a place where it feels safe for you to approach the person."
Heley also suggested having information ready to give them. Alcohol and Drug Prevention Services, located on Professors Row, has many pamphlets available for concerned friends.
When approaching a friend who may have a problem, students should have realistic expectations of the results. "Potentially expect that a friend is going to be really angry and upset -- but don't feel like that's a reason not to do it," Heley said.
When alcohol becomes an issue in any relationship, stress levels rise. Heley encourages students who think they or a friend may have a problem with alcohol that the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Services are ready to help: "Call us," she said.
Abels agreed. "Talk to somebody; talk to us," she said. "We're not going to write you up, we're not going to blow the situation out of proportion."
