Faculty members have the responsibility to provide an atmosphere that encourages responsible student behavior and to create a disciplinary system where students use introspection to reflect on their behavior and choices. Potter presents a 12-step solution to college binge drinking that incorporates ideas such as sending students home if they abuse alcohol and offering counseling by peers who exhibit responsible drinking habits. .
Potter shares what she believes to be the main causes of student binge drinking. However, the causes she mentions are not the only instigating factors, nor are they applicable to every student. Potter attributes students' need to binge drink to their overwhelming fear of failure, low self-esteems, and a lack of emotional and spiritual maturity. While these factors do trigger some students to turn to alcohol, there are also many other factors, such as peer-pressure and upbringing that Potter fails to mention. Potter blames the college admission process for instilling the fear of failure and the feeling of inadequacy in young adults, which she recognizes as the primary causes of student binge drinking. While students going through the admissions process are indeed vulnerable to rejection, not all individuals who experience that rejection and continue a college career without binge drinking. .
Although there is a correlation, the stress of college admissions does not necessarily cause college alcoholism. .
Potter's 12-steps have the potential to decrease binge drinking, however some aspects of her plan are unrealistic. Potter believes that by making students reflect on how their behavior could damage their expectations and goals, students will develop a greater sense of accountability that would cause them to drink more responsibly. However, Potter's assumption that all students will approach self-reflection with a serious, sincere attitude is unrealistic. Many students with alcoholic tendencies are too far in denial, or too naive about their invincibility to be thoughtful and honest in a self-reflection or assessment.
