Colleges can help address unhealthy student drinking habits through individual academic programs or campus-wide changes.
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During the 2022–23 academic year, the most popular drinking trend on college campuses was borgs, or gallants of rage, as they were nicknamed by students. The recipe included about 25 ounces of alcohol, mixed with about half a liter of water and some kind of flavor packet to sweeten the taste, making it a practical way to use up large amounts of alcohol.
College students notorious for heavy drinking isn’t a new trend, but one that health and substance abuse advocates hope to curb.
In supporting the holistic health and well-being of students, institutions can play a role in promoting the well-being of the individual and the environment.
In numbers: Nationally, young adults are drinking less than in decades past, with 62 percent of adults under 35 reporting occasional drinking and 61 percent drinking within the past week, according to a Gallup survey.
About 45 percent of men and 48 percent of full-time college women ages 18 to 22 have consumed alcohol in the past month; 29 percent of male and 28 percent of female full-time college students have consumed alcohol in the past month, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that approximately 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted each year by another student who has been drinking, and 1,500 students (ages 18 to 24) die. because of alcohol. unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle collisions.
Two-year-old students are less likely to drink alcohol compared to their four-year-old peers but more likely to use methamphetamine, cocaine or marijuana and report problematic drug use.
Student education: Helping students understand how alcohol can affect their physical health and giving them tools to make wise decisions can help. Online or digital tools can provide students with accessible and self-paced education on alcohol use.
This year, students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have access to AlcoholEdu, an online program that teaches them about alcohol use, abuse and consequences. An internal survey showed that students had a higher perception of their peers’ drinking habits than was true, which could have an impact on student drinking.
At Ohio University, all first- and third-year undergraduate students participate in health and safety training on alcohol education and sexual assault prevention, which is part of the institution’s harm reduction strategy, according to a university press release.
The University of Michigan has developed an app, Stay in the Blue, that helps students moderate their alcohol consumption and reduce risky behavior.
To change the culture: In addition to helping students understand healthy drinking habits, colleges and universities can influence changes in student health through environmental strategies, according to NIAAA’s College Alcohol Intervention Matrix (CollegeAIM).
These strategies can include:
- Establishing an alcohol-free campus
- Initiating a campaign for a community-based campus
- Limiting alcohol sponsorship or advertising
- Limits happy hour prices or promotions
- Creating amnesty policies
- Using safe riding programs
- Teaching students about bystander intervention
- Prohibiting the use of alcohol or service at campus social events
Reducing the availability of alcohol is one of the most effective ways to reduce student alcohol use and related problems, according to CollegeAIM.
Manor College in Pennsylvania received $47,000 from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to fund programs focused on curbing and reducing harmful and harmful drinking. With the grant dollars, the college plans to hire a social worker in the residence halls to provide alcohol prevention education and patrol the halls at night, as well as fund student programs for college events, among other programs.
Support recovery: With the prevalence of alcohol abuse and violence on college campuses, some students may need additional resources to recover from alcohol abuse.
Florida State University’s LIFT (Living Intentionally, Finding Togetherness) program provides student recovery support and campus-wide education about substance use and abuse to provide a culture of care.
The University of New Hampshire has received funding to launch another support group in 2023 for students in substance abuse recovery, building a peer support network and establishing positive role models for students.
Does your college or university have an active program to support students in recovery? Tell us about it.
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