Unfortunately, drinking alcohol (and far too much of it) has become synonymous with the college experience.
It’s the main attraction at Greek life parties. It’s a staple of tailgating and sporting events. It’s seen as the common denominator in the most exciting parts of campus life
For college students, there’s obvious appeal. Drinking alcohol feels like an inhibition-loosening, consequence-free path to adulthood.
But there’s a dark side to heavy alcohol consumption, especially when it starts young. It damages futures, wrecks mental health, and cuts young lives short. And the data suggests that America’s college drinking culture is growing.
Understanding the College Binge Drinking Culture
The medical definition of binge drinking involves hitting a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%. But for this blog, we’ll define binge drinking as 5+ drinks in 2 hours for males and 4+ drinks in 2 hours for females.
But, some students engage in “high-intensity drinking”, in which they drink twice the amount defined as binge drinking. Under that definition, a college student might consume 10 alcoholic drinks in 2 hours.
How Many College Students are Binge Drinking?
We know that binge drinking is an accepted part of college life. Students view alcohol consumption as a cornerstone of their social experience, and most of their social events revolve around it.
According to data collected in 2022 from full-time college students across the US, 49% of college students drank alcohol, and 28.9% binge drank alcohol within the previous month.
Has Binge Drinking Gotten Worse?
College drinking has been a cause for concern for many years. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has tracked trends in college drinking for decades, and the problem seems to be getting worse.
Substance Abuse Is Common in College, Too
But alcohol abuse isn’t the only worrying trend among college students. Substance abuse is rampant, too, with students commonly using marijuana and illegal drugs like MDMA (ecstasy), LSD, Adderall, painkillers, and opioids.
Certain Types of Drug Abuse Are on the Rise among College Students
There are small victories to be celebrated here: nicotine use is declining among college students, and the non-medical use of Adderall has fallen, too.
But studies show that more and more college students are using cannabis, and unfortunately, hallucinogen use is also on the rise.
The Risks of Frequent Binge Drinking and Substance Abuse
People may reminisce about their boozy college days, but behavioral statistics show that heavy drinking and alcohol abuse in early adulthood can lead to devastating consequences.
Young drinkers may develop alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, derailing their futures and limiting their potential for addiction-free lives.
Poor Academic Outcomes
Alcohol and drugs can become an unhealthy habit, creeping into everyday life for some students, edging out their studies.
As students lose focus on their academic goals, they’re likely to miss deadlines, fail tests, and eventually, fail classes. Binge-drinking students are up to 6 times more likely to fail a test and 5 times more likely to miss a class, according to the NIAAA.
Plus, frequent binge drinking actually damages the brain. So, even when these students show up to class, they’re less likely to perform as well as their peers.
These students might be dropped from their courses or decide that they’re unable to keep up with college pressures. Drop-out rates are high among students who abuse alcohol and drugs.
Assault and Sexual Assault
When alcohol is involved, a student’s chances of being assaulted or sexually assaulted increase. The NIAAA’s study found that about 696,000 students were assaulted by another student who had been drinking.
It’s challenging to track sexual assault cases due to underreporting. But researchers have established that 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted in college, and alcohol plays a part in the majority of those incidents.
Dire Impact on Future Relationships and Careers
When you establish patterns of binge drinking, depression, academic failures, and relationship disappointments at a young age, they tend to stick.
College students who binge drink usually continue to struggle in their relationships and careers even after they’ve left the campus setting. For some adults, college drinking isn’t a fun memory. Those habits haunt them into adulthood, jeopardizing the very future college is supposed to help them build.
Increase in Depression and Suicide
Again, binge-drinking students are more likely to develop patterns of poor social interactions and relationship failures during and after college. This can take a significant toll on their mental health, leading to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair. As a result, these students report higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts than non-binge drinkers.
It’s hard to shake the effects of young binge drinking. Studies show that depression and suicidal thoughts follow students for at least 5 years. There’s little research beyond that point, but it’s difficult to break that pattern without professional help.
Related: How addiction affects mental health
Death and Serious Health Concerns
As frightening as it is, death is a serious concern when drug and alcohol abuse are involved. NIAAA stats estimate that about 1,519 college students ages 18 to 24 die from alcohol-related accidents, like car crashes.
But heavy drinking harms students in less obvious ways, too. Alcohol use can cause injuries, health issues, unsafe sexual behavior, and even suicide attempts. Clearly, it’s not an issue to be taken lightly.
Parents and Colleges Can Make a Big Difference
Resource: Non-religous sobriety options in the Tidewater Hampton Roads area
Parents have a decisive role to play in how we address harmful student drinking. Research shows that college students who choose not to drink alcohol as frequently are influenced by conversations they’ve had with their parents about alcohol.
Talk to your child about the alcohol-related consequences we listed above. If you’re worried about your child’s drinking, reach out to a local Community Service Board that can put you in touch with professionals who can help.
Universities have a part to play, too. Establishing and consistently enforcing an alcohol policy is a great place to start. They can limit or ban alcohol marketing on their campus, including at sports events. In addition, they can run their own marketing campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of binge drinking.
Campus officials can also work with the community to limit the number of alcohol retailers near campus, prohibit alcohol delivery to the campus, and create alcohol-free zones around the school.
If You’re Struggling, We Can Help
You don’t have to stay stuck in a life-shattering pattern of alcohol and substance abuse. No matter your income or background, we have resources and a team of empathetic professionals who are here to help.
Call us right now at 988. Or, make an appointment to get help in your local Community Service Board.