Drunkorexia, an eating disorder paired with alcohol use, has been affecting college students for years, and has recently stirred up more concerns.  
The term is used to define the practice of starving oneself during the day in order to drink during nighttime activities. The philosophy is that the person saves calories by not eating and makes up for them in drinking.
This concept has been around for many years, but was once known as liquid lunches, as stated by HealthStatus. “The consequence of drinking on an empty stomach means frequent alcohol poisoning, drunkenness, drunken behavior including drinking and driving and unprotected sex.”
As a young woman in college, the pressures of having to look a certain way is quite prominent. Between the terms of freshman 15 and the senior slump, I can never really seem to catch a break. The idea that men want a thinner, fitter woman has made me feel like I have to adhere to the image of Jennifer Lopez or Eva Longoria.
After realizing that I am an individual and am unique in my own way, I was able to accept that I will never be the “Next Top Model.”
As a fellow woman and former president of group Women Involved in Self- Empowerment, Alicia Kozak agrees that women should empower themselves.
“Self Confidence is key in know yourself worth. You have to love and respect yourself in order to receive love and respect from others,” Kozak said.
Even with the support from fellow friends and family that pressure is still there to look a certain way and some of us still cave into it. I am guilty of it myself.  
Let’s admit it, ladies.  We have all tried the green tea diets, dietary supplements and fancy shakes, but the results just never seem to be there. I know, for me, that all that comes from these “diets” are huge cravings for the bad foods and more weight in my thighs.
Although the pressures are there to be skinny and to look a certain way, we should never put ourselves in a position where the diet, if used drastically, could potentially harm our wellbeing.
After reading up on Drunkorexia, I thought of all the times I went out and the routine I did before I went out. I always thought that I should eat a decent meal before I went out so I would not get sick. Now that I have read college women’s stories on their experiences with Drunkorexia, I found that not everyone feels the same.
A study of 1,000 students at the University of Missouri showed that one in five students participate in this growing trend. They found this disorder mostly in female undergraduates.  
Another term that is used with Drunkorexia is binge drinking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 38 million adults in the United States binge drink. Binge drinking is five or more drinks in a short period of time for men, and four or more drinks for women.
The CDC shows that the age group with the most binge drinkers is 18 to 34 years old. Also, more than 90 percent of the alcohol youth drink is while binge drinking.
After looking through information regarding bringe drinking and Drunkorexia, I came across information regarding the six stages of drunkenness. They include the jovial phase, slurring phase, can’t-see-properly phase, the falling-down phase, the down-and-out phase, and the in-the-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death stage. These stages are described in detail in the graphic.
These stages of drunkenness are the effects of the alcohol on the brain.
That being said, students should be aware of the effects of the alcohol they consume. Since Mardi Gras is around the corner, this information should sink in and help to make the festivities a safe and fun time.
Mardi Gras is a festival wrapped around floats, beads, royalty and alcohol.  The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco issued 825 alcohol related citations last year for Mardi Gras.
Because Carnival Season is here, and the pressure to drink is higher than usual, I ask that you take care of yourself and know what you should and should not be doing. I’m not saying to not have fun and relax, just do it safely.