Last week, The Ithacan reported on students who admitted their alcohol abuse and reached out for help. When excessive drinking makes college students’ lives spin away, students need to admit the party is over and they need help.

In college, the lack of parental supervision and the easy access to alcohol leads to excess student drinking. But binge drinking can lead to long-term health problems and also impairs judgment and causes memory loss. When under the influence of alcohol, students may find themselves the victims of sexual abuse. Too much drinking can also result in students’ skipping classes and letting their academics slide.

The students who have admitted they have an abuse problem and have reached out for help are applauded. More students are encouraged to take back control of their lives. Ithaca College is encouraged to create and advertise programs available to students who feel they have a problem. If alcoholism is discussed more at the college, perhaps it will not sneak up on students.

At times, it can be difficult to see where the line between social drinking and alcoholism is crossed. But when students find themselves or their friends excessively drinking, they need to reach out for help before they lose control.