You will have a hangover all day long in college if you use three cans of beer just because you can’t sleep. The discussion concerning which statement best describes the drinking habits of college students has always remained a topic of intrigue and interest.
College campuses serve as a unique environment where alcohol consumption plays a significant role. This blog will help you gain insight into several factors linked with the statement that best describes the drinking habits of college students.
Table of Contents
Statement
If we go for the statement that best describes the drinking habits of college students. There are many, but the most significant one is that “most of the students drink moderately while only a small proportion drinks excessively.”
Explanation and Statistics
The following statistics will show why the statement that most college students drink mildly while others drink heavily best describes the drinking habits of college students.
- In a study published in the Journal of American College Health, 20% of college students drink heavily, and about 35% drink moderately or are non-drinkers.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, as per the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), college students belonging to the age group of 18 to 22, 49.0% drank alcohol with 28.9% engaging in binge drinking.
Although the drinking habits of college students vary from college to college, most students are not heavy drinkers.
Drinking Habits of College Students
Let’s dive into some common drinking habits found in college students.
1. Binge Drinking
You may know the term Binge-watching. Binge drinking is similar to that. It involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Nowadays, it is prevalent among college students.
This leads to many health and safety issues like car accidents while drunk driving and also leads to high blood alcohol consumption.
2. High-Intensity Drinking
Due to academic stress and some personal concerns, college students often go beyond binge drinking and consume alcohol in higher amounts.
This leads to many potential health risks like loss of consciousness, liver damage, and neurological damage or can build other bad mental habits.
3. Drinking Culture
Oh, man! Finally, I got into college. Let’s have a drink, party, and have some fun. Many college students with this mindset assume drinking to be the core of college culture. College festivals, Prom, and parties often center around drinking.
4. Drinking at Home Before Going Out
Sometimes, college students, without giving much thought to potential risks, consider it a ritual to drink before going out somewhere.
According to an SOS-UK article, about two-thirds of college students drink at home or a friend’s home before going out.
5. Drinking Rituals
You may have heard, “I finally won tickets to the NBA. Let’s have a shot of champagne.” Many college students have some drinking traditions called “power hours,” where they drink a shot every minute for an hour or celebrate some achievements with drinks.
It is better to understand the drinking patterns of college students to design targeted interventions and ensure responsible drinking habits. This will mitigate the risks of alcohol consumption and guide students about healthy habits in college, ensuring their well-being.
Frequent High-Risk Drinkers
The statement that best describes the drinking habits of college students proves that only a small portion of students are frequent high-risk drinkers.
High-risk drinking or heavy drinking is the use of alcohol beyond the recommended limits.
As the US Department of Health and Human Services prescribes, the recommended limit for males is 4 drinks per day or 14 drinks per week. Similarly, for females, the limit is 3 drinks per day or 7 drinks per week.
What is the Purpose of Standard Drink Measurement?
The purpose of standard drink measurement is to measure the alcohol intake. To measure your alcohol intake, you must know standard drink measurements.
In the US, a standard alcoholic drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. Which can be found in:
- 5 ounces of wine, which is usually 12% alcohol
- 12 ounces of regular beer, about 5% alcohol
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, about 40% alcohol
The knowledge of this standard drink measurement reduces the risk of overconsumption by serving as a source to understand and monitor individuals’ alcohol intake.
This standardized measurement of alcohol consumption also establishes the guidelines for moderate drinking. These well-researched guidelines help individuals make educated choices about their drinking habits to ensure their well-being.
Final Thoughts
Most of the students drink moderately, while only a small proportion drinks excessively is usually considered as the statement best describing the drinking habits of college students. Binge drinking, high-intensity drinking, and established perceptions of college students revolving around the fact that college is all about drinking affect college students both academically and health-wise.
The higher percentage of students drinking alcohol than the frequent high risk drinkers resonates well with the statement. Standard drink measurement plays a substantial part in informing individuals on how to monitor and regulate their alcohol intake.
