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Drug and Alcohol Use and Abuse
| Drug and Alcohol Use on College Campuses Many parents worry about the decisions their children will make in college, especially since these choice can have a great impact on their health. One of the most common worries is that students will abuse alcohol or use drugs. Alcohol and drug abuse have been areas of concern on college campuses for many decades. 1,700 college students die and an additional 599,000 are injured annually as a direct result of alcohol consumption.[i] Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of additional health-related areas of concern including assault, sexual abuse, unsafe sex, academic issues, depression, vandalism, and many more. Although only a small percentage of college students meet the criteria for alcoholism, over 31% meet the criteria for alcohol abuse.[ii]
Alcohol and Drug Use at Skidmore Skidmore has collected copious amounts of alcohol and drug related data. Data sources include the CORE survey (completed by 665 students during the spring of 2006), the freshman orientation alcohol survey (completed by 136 students during the early fall of 2006), the student drinking and driving survey (completed by 363 students during the spring of 2006), and the tobacco use survey (completed by 700 students during the fall of 2006).
Skidmore students drink more alcohol than students in the reference group of 60,000 college students. Specifically: Skidmore Students
Reference Group
Percentage of students who have used in the past month:
At What Age Do Skidmore Students Begin Drinking? Although some students begin drinking in college, data shows that a majority of Skidmore first year students begin using alcohol before they arrive on campus. The average Skidmore student began using alcohol before setting foot on Skidmore’s campus. And, the data does suggest that when students begin consuming alcohol at younger ages, they are more likely to engage in high risk drinking behaviors. For example, students who began consuming alcohol when they were younger than 17 were significantly more likely to have reported binge drinking within the 2 weeks preceding the survey.  Interestingly, it does not take long for many of Skidmore’s students to begin drinking once they arrive on campus. The orientation survey, administered after a mere 48 hours on campus, revealed that nearly 30% of the freshmen surveyed had already been drunk during their time at Skidmore. Initial suspicions that students on athletic teams and those who participated in pre-orientation programming may be more likely to have been drunk during their first days on campus did not pan out; there were no significant differences found between groups.
Alcohol consumption among first-year students
Despite the high prevalence of drinking among our first year students, recent data suggests that alcohol use actually increases over time. The percent of students who define themselves as “non drinkers” falls from 43% to only 9% from first year to senior year, while the percent of students who can be classified as heavy drinkers increases from 14% to 41%. Binge Drinking and the Negative Effects of Alcohol Binge drinking (5 or more drinks in a single sitting) is also quite common among Skidmore students. During the two weeks preceding the survey, nearly 70% of male students and over 55% of female students engaged in binge drinking at least once. 35% of male students and nearly 20% of female students reported binge drinking on 3 or more occasions. Negative consequences stemming from alcohol and drug use ranged from the relatively innocuous (hangovers – experienced by some 72% of students) to the more serious and severe (12% of males and 3% of females have tried unsuccessfully to stop using, 8% of males and 5% of females seriously considered suicide, 33% of males and 21% of females drove under the influence, 27% of males and 15% of females got into trouble with authorities, and 13% of males and 2% of females damaged property). Academic consequences were also quite common with 24% of males and 20% of females having done poorly on an assignment or test, and 37% of males and 26% of females having missed class as a result of their alcohol and/or drug use. Many students find the alcohol use of others to be disturbing. Specifically, students report that other students’ drinking: interrupts their ability to study (30% of males, 38% of females); makes them feel unsafe (6% of males, 13% of females); messes up their physical living space (42% of males, 43% of females); adversely affects their involvement on a team or in a group (12% of males and 6% of females); and prevents them from enjoying events (12% of males and 18% of females).  Although students who were light drinkers were able to classify their drinking categories, moderate and heavy drinkers had a more difficult time. Of the students who are heavy drinkers, 88% of them inaccurately believe that their drinking is only light or moderate. Heavy drinkers also had difficulty comparing themselves to their peers. Of heavy drinkers, 63% believe they drink the same amount as their peers and 30% believe they drink more.  As is typically the case with college students, Skidmore students overestimate the alcohol and drug use of their peers. For example, fewer than 35% of Skidmore students consume alcohol at least three days per week, but nearly 75% of students believe that the average Skidmore student consumes alcohol at least three days per week. Similarly, 83% of Skidmore students believe that the average Skidmore student uses marijuana at least once per week. In reality approximately 20% use marijuana at least once per week and over 32% have never tried it. Why Do Skidmore Students Drink?
Parent Relationship First year students were significantly more likely than upperclassmen to suggest that parents:
Upperclassmen were significantly more likely to suggest that parents maintain open lines of communication and remain active participants in the life of their student
Parental Impact 87.7% of the students surveyed reported that they have had a conversation with their parent(s) about alcohol use. – These students were asked what impact these conversations had on their behaviors/choices related to alcohol use. – 73% reported that they drink less or that they drink more responsibly than they might otherwise.  Just over half of students report that they think about conversations that they have had with their parents before they consume alcohol. – We asked them what impact these recollections have on their drinking behaviors 68.5% reported that their recollections impact their behaviors. Overwhelmingly, these students reported that they put more thought into responsibility and making sure that, if they do choose to drink, they do so safely and responsibly. Alcohol Abuse Moderate alcohol use is normal, but alcohol abuse or dependence is a serious problem. Too much alcohol affects the central nervous system and how the brain functions. It affects perception, thinking, and coordination. It impairs judgment, reduces inhibitions, and increases aggression. Those who abuse alcohol are more likely than others to engage in high risk, thoughtless, or violent behaviors. Check out this interactive body site for more information. Warning signs of alcohol abuse
Noteworthy Programs:
[i] Hingson, R. et al. Magnitude of Alcohol-Related Mortality and Morbidity Among U.S. College Students Ages 18-24: Changes from 1998 to 2001. Annual Review of Public Health, vol. 26, 259-79; 2005 [ii] Knight JR, Wechsler H, Kuo M, Seibring M, Weitzman ER, Schuckit M. Alcohol abuse and dependence among U.S. college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 2002, in press. |
If you feel you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol abuse contact the college Counseling Center, 580-5555, to set up an appointment. The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of Jonsson Tower.
