Two shots.

They’re sharp bites. Sweet, then immediately starting to burn on the way down.

Two more shots go down. His heart’s racing now — everything feels lighter.

He takes even more, and now he’s at six. The floor is wobbling now. The world’s somehow spinning faster than usual. He’s slurring his words over each other. He hears people laughing all around him.

Two more shots. Reality is beginning to blur itself. His thoughts become sluggish, bouncing from one to the other without pause. The room spins even faster, and his legs, now like Jell-O, don’t seem to properly support his frame anymore.

The line between casual drinking on occasion and binge drinking disappears quickly. And in some cases, where the environments that such activities occur in are more about excess than experience, it’s not an anomaly. It’s common. It’s expected.

But analysis done by some research groups show that this culture might not be as universal as it seems. According to a study by Gallup on alcohol consumption of adults aged 18 to 34 in the U.S., the percentage of those drinking dropped from 72 percent in 2003 to 62 percent in 2023, highlighting the trend that fewer young adults are periodically drinking. Nonetheless, the dangers of binge drinking remain a significant issue.

“The most extreme consequence of alcohol abuse is death, whether from overdose or accidents, including vehicular crashes,” said Associate Vice President for Student Success at Babson College Ryan Travia, who also spoke to juniors and seniors during a health and wellness presentation at school. “But beyond that, blackouts and memory loss are among the strongest predictors of long-term addiction.”

Although not everyone who drinks experiences these extreme consequences of the spectrum, two inevitable consequences are the drops in inhibition and impaired decision-making.

And in general, people under the influence of alcohol can’t undo their words or actions. Oftentimes, they have a decreased control over what they do, and with this gap in judgment, it has the potential to damage relationships permanently.

From Travia’s experience, alcohol can also trigger personality shifts for some people — someone generally happy and social might suddenly become belligerent or withdrawn. If these transformations in character occur repeatedly, he warns that the resulting fractures in friendships and relationships can take a serious toll on mental health.

“Friends might initially help someone when they’re drunk, but if it becomes a pattern, they get tired of ‘babysitting’ someone who can’t control their drinking,” Travia said. “Alcohol abuse can damage all sorts of relationships — family, friends, peers, social and professional ties — creating isolation and long-term consequences.”

For Director of the Marksman Wellness Center Dr. Gabby Reed, one of the most detrimental effects of alcohol consumption stems from its potential for altering brain chemistry — the honey trap of addiction.

“The problem is that you start to get used to having alcohol in your system, and then instead of feeling good most of the time like you would have normally, you end up feeling worse,” Reed said. “It’s because you’re used to having dopamine in your system, so then when you’re missing out on it, you begin to start craving it and wanting it and then you feel horrible.”

In Travia’s eyes, this development of alcohol addiction is primarily influenced by social circles that one is involved in, more so than peer pressure — when people cluster together with those who reinforce heavy drinking habits, excessive drinking will eventually turn into an accepted norm.

Reed echoes his viewpoint, highlighting the significance of one’s own social surroundings and the concerning notion of needing to be included in these events.

“I don’t see one individual’s curiosity leading to habitual drinking,” Reed said. “It’s not something we really see. Sure, people can be curious about something and maybe try it once or twice, but generally, with the effects of alcohol, it’s not the kind of thing where all of a sudden you’re fully addicted. It’s really more about the time that they’re spending with friends who are drinking in their circle.”

This perception contrasts with common assumptions about campus drinking culture.

“The misconception is that ‘everyone drinks,’” Travia said. “But in reality, the majority of students now choose not to. However, because the party culture gets more attention, it creates the illusion that drinking is universal.”

Beyond close friendships, Travia says a student’s relationship with alcohol can also be shaped by their environment and family history. Access is directly correlated to consumption, where if a student grows up in a household where alcohol is readily available and its use is normalized, they are far more likely to start drinking at an early age.

And, to Travia, early exposure matters, since early-onset drinking is a significant risk factor for long-term addiction.

Genetics also plays a major role — based on Travia’s research, half of an individual’s risk factor for addiction is hereditary. If a student has a biological parent or sibling with alcohol dependency, they are four times more likely to develop the same issue.

“I grew up in an alcoholic household, as both of my parents struggled with addiction,” Travia said. “As the eldest, I had to mature quickly, protecting my younger siblings from potential outbursts. Thankfully, my parents have been sober for years and have strong relationships with their children and grandchildren. But their struggles shaped me, both personally and professionally.”

Travia says that supporting students who struggle with alcohol abuse requires a collaborative effort from both schools and families. Educational institutions play a crucial role in providing resources, promoting awareness, and fostering a culture where students feel comfortable seeking help.

At the same time, he stresses that parental influence is often stronger than many realize. When families engage in open and honest conversations about alcohol use, they can help shape healthier attitudes and behaviors, ultimately reducing the risk of dangerous drinking habits.

Through the Health and Wellness Program’s curriculum taught to primarily the Middle School, education on the dangers of alcohol consumption is a core topic that students are exposed to.

“It’s really dangerous,” Reed said. “We care very much about this. We just have to figure out a way to actually impact people and create change in the world. Learning about alcohol in the classroom is one thing, but we understand that it’s different when you’re actually at a party.”