I've found that, when I'm particularly anxious in the evening, half a Xanax relaxes me enough to sleep. And when I'm particularly anxious in the morning, half a Xanax calms me enough to face the day. But I'm talking about maybe a couple of times a year -- Xanax is highly addictive, so get your doctor's okay before taking it regulary.

What did shock me about that report was the volume of drinking that was described--the standard Saturday night out required a lot more alcohol than I ever saw in the early-to-mid 1980s. Things have changed since I was in college.

I went to a school that (during the first half of the '80s) held a beer bash (25 cent draft) on the main quad every Friday afternoon. After that, everywhere else seemed kind of tame.

After that, everywhere else seemed kind of tame.

The change I've heard is that college drinking, at least for women, isn't about beer. It's mostly hard alcohol, because it's perceived as less filling/fattening. And because the drinking age is so high, they binge at their dorms before they go out. So multiple shots of vodka or something, in a short period; you can get a lot more hammered quickly on hard alcohol than on beer, because it's just not comfortable to drink that much beer fast.

Fred's right -- lots of people have problems with Xanax, and Ambien as well. Personally, I look at my chronic insomnia as a disease that must be treated with meds in order for me to be not INSANE, and to have good quality of life. I use Xan in the evenings, and very occasionally during the day, if I feel a panic attack looming.

With my depression more under control, except for occasional flare-ups, than it has been in years, and the really much improved insomnia issues with the meds, I look at it as rather taking my AD's and my estrogen -- it's a medical necessity. I try to exercise and use other techniques to keep my anxiety/stress in check, but it's a viable part of my general health plan, and I get bloodwork done once a year, to make sure I am staying healthy.

I have a check-up in a week, but my BP runs are 115/80, my cholesterol levels are good, I've lost almost 40 pounds in two years, and the hysterectomy has improved my health so much.

I don't mean to be mememe BURBLE, but y'all know the epic struggles I have had, and it feels SO GOOD to feel...good. And if taking these meds till I'm 100 works, I am SO for it!

There's sociological studies crying out to be done to figure out why some companies/colleges/cultures turn a bind eye to abuse like this and what changes should be made to encourage individuals to come forward.

I don't remember drinking much beer in college. College drinking was shots for the people who could handle it, and mixed drinks for the people who couldn't.

I think the increase in the drinking age has done a lot to encourage binge drinking. When the drinking age was 18, colleges did more to control drinking on campus and the drink of choice tended to be beer. Now it's more hard liquor, which is easier to hide. As with drugs, when something is illegal, it can't be regulated.

I think the increase in the drinking age has done a lot to encourage binge drinking. When the drinking age was 18, colleges did more to control drinking on campus and the drink of choice tended to be beer. Now it's more hard liquor, which is easier to hide. As with drugs, when something is illegal, it can't be regulated.

I suspect you're right, Ginger. And I was in college just when the drinking age was going up: I had it raised on me two years in a row: just as I got legal (my birthday is in December) the age went up a year on January 1. The third year, I finally got grandfathered in, so I could drink legally my last full year of college.

At any rate, my point was that in the early/mid 80s beer was still the drink of choice but as time passed I guess the pendulum swung to liquor for logistical reasons. Makes sense.

On the down side, the higher drinking age probably means that more students are drinking and driving, since they can't drink legally on campus...

the higher drinking age probably means that more students are drinking and driving, since they can't drink legally on campus...

Or on my campus, drinking and walking...and doing things like being loud and pissing in the neighbors' yards. Ah, town-gown relations...

I drank a lot of Strawberry Hill and cheap vodka in college. But yeah, I got a 1.8 GPA my first semester through too much partying -- I wasn't really a partier, nor did I have many friends in HS, and the combo of friends and alcohol really went to my 18 y.o. head.

Luckily, driving home for Xmas break, my dad gave me a come-to-Jesus talk, which basically involved "If you don't get your GPA up next semester, we're not paying anything towards college. Get your shit together."

Add to that my dad was an alcoholic (beat it in 1983, sober since then, and I am VERY LEERY of what I know is a genetic predisposition to alcoholism) I got it. Cut way back, still had fun, but nailed a 3.8 my second semester freshman year.

The change I've heard is that college drinking, at least for women, isn't about beer. It's mostly hard alcohol, because it's perceived as less filling/fattening. And because the drinking age is so high, they binge at their dorms before they go out. So multiple shots of vodka or something, in a short period; you can get a lot more hammered quickly on hard alcohol than on beer, because it's just not comfortable to drink that much beer fast.

This was my experience in college (1989-1993, FWIW). But Miami is a HELLA party school.

I don't remember drinking much beer in college. College drinking was shots for the people who could handle it, and mixed drinks for the people who couldn't.

Heh. I drank a LOT of beer in college, and senior year would switch to mixed drinks for a lark. Alabama Slammers were a big theme. Oh god, and those Blue Hawaiians that were $2 at Saloon on Tuesday nights. (I can still remember some of the drink specials, almost 20 years after graduating. That is so fucking sad.)

But mostly beer.