Risk Factors Risk Factors associated with Binge associated with Binge

Drinking Amongst Drinking Amongst College StudentsCollege Students

Daniel Canales, Crystal Daniel Canales, Crystal Garcia, Antonio Mendez, Garcia, Antonio Mendez,

Erika BarajasErika Barajas

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

According to reports binge drinking is the According to reports binge drinking is the number one public health concern on college number one public health concern on college campuses nationwide. campuses nationwide.

This behavior is related to lower grade point This behavior is related to lower grade point averages, academic problems, student averages, academic problems, student attrition, and the leading cause of death attrition, and the leading cause of death among college students (Vohs, 2008). among college students (Vohs, 2008).

It is estimated “about four in five of all It is estimated “about four in five of all college students drink, including nearly 60 college students drink, including nearly 60 percent of students age 18 to 20” (NIAAA, percent of students age 18 to 20” (NIAAA, n.d.)n.d.)

WHAT IS BINGE WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?DRINKING?

According National Institute of Alcohol According National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) “A Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) “A “binge” is a pattern of drinking alcohol “binge” is a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 gram-percent or above. (BAC) to 0.08 gram-percent or above. For a typical adult, this pattern For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming 5 or more corresponds to consuming 5 or more drinks (male), or 4 or more drinks drinks (male), or 4 or more drinks (female), in about 2 hours” (NIAAA, (female), in about 2 hours” (NIAAA, 2007). 2007).

WHY DO STUDENTS WHY DO STUDENTS BINGE DRINK?BINGE DRINK?

Binge drinking does not stem from Binge drinking does not stem from just one factor but several. This can just one factor but several. This can include genetic and family include genetic and family predisposition, social and peer predisposition, social and peer influences, college traditions, influences, college traditions, uncontrolled policy environments uncontrolled policy environments and the easy availability of alcohol in and the easy availability of alcohol in and around college campuses and around college campuses (College Alcohol Study, n.d.). (College Alcohol Study, n.d.).

WHY IS THIS A GREAT WHY IS THIS A GREAT CONERN?CONERN?

Binge drinking is of great concern Binge drinking is of great concern because it is tied to some of the most because it is tied to some of the most desired aspects of American college desired aspects of American college life.life.

Many factors contribute to the high Many factors contribute to the high prevalence of binge drinking among prevalence of binge drinking among college students, making binge college students, making binge drinking a major health concern for drinking a major health concern for colleges and universities nationwide.colleges and universities nationwide.

Social Organizations Social Organizations Social fraternities and sororities Social fraternities and sororities

play a prominent role in the lives play a prominent role in the lives of U.S. college students.of U.S. college students.

Anecdotal evidence of problem Anecdotal evidence of problem drinking at fraternity events drinking at fraternity events abounds. Data confirm that abounds. Data confirm that fraternity members drink more fraternity members drink more intensively than do non-members. intensively than do non-members. In the NCHRBS, past month In the NCHRBS, past month binge drinking, defined as binge drinking, defined as consuming at least five alcoholic consuming at least five alcoholic beverages within a few hours, beverages within a few hours, was reported by 69% of fraternity was reported by 69% of fraternity members as compared with 42% members as compared with 42% of non-members.of non-members.

The main activity with which The main activity with which fraternities are associated with is fraternities are associated with is alcohol use.alcohol use.

Fraternity partiesFraternity parties

(DeSimone, 2007)(DeSimone, 2007)

Social OrganizationsSocial Organizations

College Game dayCollege Game day Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking is a Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking is a

common occurrence on game day.common occurrence on game day. Data from the fall 2004 National College Health Assessment Data from the fall 2004 National College Health Assessment

indicate that approximately 31% of women and 44% of men indicate that approximately 31% of women and 44% of men engage in high-risk drinkingengage in high-risk drinking

A unique challenge concerning high-risk drinking on US A unique challenge concerning high-risk drinking on US campuses is college football game day. Research indicates that campuses is college football game day. Research indicates that sports fans are less likely to abstain from alcohol and more likely sports fans are less likely to abstain from alcohol and more likely to drink excessively than are non-sports fansto drink excessively than are non-sports fans..

Students underestimated the percentage of tailgaters who drank Students underestimated the percentage of tailgaters who drank but overestimated how much they drank. Students who but overestimated how much they drank. Students who overestimated the number of drinks their peers consumed while overestimated the number of drinks their peers consumed while tailgating were more likely to drink and experience negative tailgating were more likely to drink and experience negative consequences themselves on game day.consequences themselves on game day.

(Glassman, Werch et al. 2007)(Glassman, Werch et al. 2007)

Early Alcohol Early Alcohol InitiationInitiation

Does it increase risk of binge Does it increase risk of binge drinking in college?drinking in college?Study investigated the influence of age Study investigated the influence of age

of alcohol initiation on current alcohol of alcohol initiation on current alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among use and alcohol-related problems among college students.college students.

Study described early alcohol initiation as Study described early alcohol initiation as alcohol use before the age of 15. alcohol use before the age of 15. (LaBrie, (LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)Rodrigues et al. 2007)

Positive attitudes toward Positive attitudes toward drinking in early drinking in early adolescence carry into adolescence carry into college experience.college experience.

Early Alcohol Initiation Early Alcohol Initiation StudyStudy

College student sample: From two universities College student sample: From two universities in Western United States. N=214in Western United States. N=214

Subjects recruited through Psychology Subjects recruited through Psychology courses.courses.

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire Age Range: 17-24 (Average Age: 20.66 yrs)Age Range: 17-24 (Average Age: 20.66 yrs) 35% Male, 66% Female35% Male, 66% Female 26% Caucasian, 40% Asian, 24% Hispanic, 2% 26% Caucasian, 40% Asian, 24% Hispanic, 2%

African American, 8% MixedAfrican American, 8% Mixed 20% in Fraternity or Sorority20% in Fraternity or Sorority

(LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)(LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)

Study Study ResultsResults

Participants split into age of initiation Participants split into age of initiation groups.groups.

First had more than a few sips of alcohol:First had more than a few sips of alcohol: EEarlyarly alcohol initiation group: alcohol initiation group: before age 15before age 15. .

(40%)(40%) MMiddleiddle alcohol initiation group: alcohol initiation group: between15 between15

and 17and 17. (42%). (42%) LLateate alcohol initiation group: alcohol initiation group: after age 18after age 18. .

(19%)(19%)

(LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)(LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)

Study Study ResultsResults

Early Initiators drank Early Initiators drank more frequentlymore frequently and and consumed significantly consumed significantly moremore alcohol per alcohol per occasion then middle occasion then middle or late initiators.or late initiators.

Early Initiators were ~3x more likely than Early Initiators were ~3x more likely than middle initiators and >2x as likely as late middle initiators and >2x as likely as late initiators to avg 5 or more drinks per initiators to avg 5 or more drinks per drinking occasion (binge drinking). drinking occasion (binge drinking). (LaBrie, (LaBrie, Rodrigues et al. 2007)Rodrigues et al. 2007)

Working More Than 20 Working More Than 20 hrs/wkhrs/wk

Study investigated associations Study investigated associations between hours worked and binge between hours worked and binge drinking among a college students.drinking among a college students.

Suggests working during college may be Suggests working during college may be problematic when college students work problematic when college students work excessive # of hours, resulting in undesirable excessive # of hours, resulting in undesirable influences on health.influences on health.

~57%~57% college students college students work while in school.work while in school.

Excessive # of hours: 20 or more per Excessive # of hours: 20 or more per weekweek. . (Miller, Danner et al. 2008)(Miller, Danner et al. 2008)

Working More Than 20 Working More Than 20 hrs/wkhrs/wk

College student sample: College student sample: Southeastern US University. Southeastern US University.

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Age Range: 18-26 (Average Age: 20.2 Age Range: 18-26 (Average Age: 20.2 yrs)yrs)

61% Female61% Female

91% Caucasian (Not Diverse)91% Caucasian (Not Diverse)

27% in Fraternity or Sorority27% in Fraternity or Sorority(Miller, Danner et al. 2008)(Miller, Danner et al. 2008)

Study ResultsStudy Results Students’ weekly work hours were divided into 3 Students’ weekly work hours were divided into 3

categoriescategories Low (<10 hours)Low (<10 hours) Medium (10-19 hours)Medium (10-19 hours) High (High (≥20 hours)≥20 hours)

Students who worked 20+ hrs/wk were Students who worked 20+ hrs/wk were 1.56 x1.56 x more likely to be binge drinkers.more likely to be binge drinkers.

Binge drinking and lower academic performance Binge drinking and lower academic performance were significantly associated with working 20+ were significantly associated with working 20+ hrs/wkhrs/wk

(Miller, Danner et al. 2008)(Miller, Danner et al. 2008)

Study ResultsStudy Results

Researchers speculate that unhealthy Researchers speculate that unhealthy behaviors may be a response to the behaviors may be a response to the added stress of working excessive added stress of working excessive hours hours (Miller, Danner et al. 2008).(Miller, Danner et al. 2008).

WORKING

COLLEGE STUDENT

Intervention programs Intervention programs

*Do intervention programs *Do intervention programs prevent binge drinking?prevent binge drinking?

*Where do students go for *Where do students go for information?information?

*Do campus’ without programs *Do campus’ without programs have the same issues with binge have the same issues with binge

drinking?drinking?

Where are the target areas for Where are the target areas for Binge Drinking Prevention:Binge Drinking Prevention:

College CharacteristicsCollege Characteristics

A number of environmental influences A number of environmental influences working in concert with other factors working in concert with other factors may affect students' alcohol may affect students' alcohol consumption. consumption.

Schools where excessive alcohol use is Schools where excessive alcohol use is more likely to occur include:more likely to occur include:

Schools where Greek systems Schools where Greek systems dominate (i.e., fraternities, sororities)dominate (i.e., fraternities, sororities)

Schools where athletic teams are Schools where athletic teams are prominentprominent

Schools located in the NortheastSchools located in the Northeast

First-Year Students:First-Year Students: The first 6 weeks of enrollment are The first 6 weeks of enrollment are

critical to first-year student successcritical to first-year student success

*the potential exists for excessive *the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life.successful adaptation to campus life.

* The transition to college is often so * The transition to college is often so difficult to negotiate that about one-difficult to negotiate that about one-third of first-year students fail to enroll third of first-year students fail to enroll for their second year.for their second year.

National Organizations assisting Universities National Organizations assisting Universities with educating incoming studentswith educating incoming students

**MADD-MADD-Mothers Against Drunk DriversMothers Against Drunk Drivers

**NIAAANIAAA-National Institute on Alcohol Abuse -National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismand Alcoholism

**Trained Peer Counselors Trained Peer Counselors (require considerable amount of training)(2)(require considerable amount of training)(2)

**While many Universities have While many Universities have counselors on hand to handle many counselors on hand to handle many situations, Binge drinking remains situations, Binge drinking remains

one of major concerns with incoming one of major concerns with incoming freshman students. freshman students.

*Nationwide , Universities have *Nationwide , Universities have mandatory Alcohol Awareness classes mandatory Alcohol Awareness classes

that must be taken by all incoming that must be taken by all incoming Freshman.Freshman.

*Local Universities each set up their *Local Universities each set up their own form of intervention/education on own form of intervention/education on

drinking. drinking.

•This is a symbol used by UTSA.

•Just what is the meaning of this symbol?

*All incoming freshman and transfer students with less that 30 credits must enroll and take both parts within the allotted time.

*According to ASAP, failure to enroll or complete both parts can lead to a hold on your account.

SHADES Peer EducationSHADES Peer EducationSexual Health Alcohol and Drug Education for StudentsSexual Health Alcohol and Drug Education for Students

Located in UTSA Health Services web page.Located in UTSA Health Services web page.

Discuss alcohol, drugs and sexDiscuss alcohol, drugs and sex

Dorms can schedule briefings in their dormsDorms can schedule briefings in their dorms

* No evidence was found to justify an abundance of binge drinkers on campus would be increased without programs on campus.

As part of their prevention programs, US colleges and universities are required by law to make information about their alcohol policies available to students. Often the source of this information is the school's Web site.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSFACTORS

Community establishments near and Community establishments near and around campus serve or sell alcohol, around campus serve or sell alcohol, which depend on the college clientele which depend on the college clientele for their financial success.for their financial success. Accessibility of Alcohol in and around Accessibility of Alcohol in and around

campusescampuses College students who reported that they were College students who reported that they were

exposed to exposed to wet environments wet environments were more likely were more likely to engage in binge drinking than were their to engage in binge drinking than were their peers without similar exposures(Weitzman, peers without similar exposures(Weitzman, 2007).2007).

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSFACTORS

PRICE OF BEERPRICE OF BEER Discount pricing of alcohol in bars and stores, Discount pricing of alcohol in bars and stores,

and high densities of alcohol outlets in areas and high densities of alcohol outlets in areas surrounding colleges are risk factors surrounding colleges are risk factors associated with college binge drinking. associated with college binge drinking. Alcohol consumption increases as Alcohol consumption increases as establishments and alcohol outlets use various establishments and alcohol outlets use various discounts and promotions to attract college discounts and promotions to attract college students. students.

““College students are targeted with sales of large College students are targeted with sales of large volumes of alcohol (such as 24- and 30-can cases of volumes of alcohol (such as 24- and 30-can cases of beer, kegs, and “party balls”), low sale prices, and beer, kegs, and “party balls”), low sale prices, and frequent alcohol promotions at bars, liquor stores, frequent alcohol promotions at bars, liquor stores, and other retail outlets surrounding college and other retail outlets surrounding college campuses” (Meichum K., Wechsler, H., Greenberg, campuses” (Meichum K., Wechsler, H., Greenberg, P., Hang, L., 2003)P., Hang, L., 2003)

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONT.FACTORS CONT.

Daily drink specials and “happy hours” at local restaurants Daily drink specials and “happy hours” at local restaurants and bars, as well as reduced prices of beer in stores during and bars, as well as reduced prices of beer in stores during sporting events and holidays. In a study that measured sporting events and holidays. In a study that measured taking up binge drink in college; results showed, students taking up binge drink in college; results showed, students who reported paying one dollar or less for a drink were who reported paying one dollar or less for a drink were considerably more likely to begin binge drinking than were considerably more likely to begin binge drinking than were students who reported paying more than a dollar per drink students who reported paying more than a dollar per drink (Weitzman, 2007). (Weitzman, 2007).

During one study it was found that “both heavy and light During one study it was found that “both heavy and light drinkers drank more than twice as much alcohol during drinkers drank more than twice as much alcohol during simulated “happy hours” as they did during times without simulated “happy hours” as they did during times without such promotions” (Meichum K., Wechsler, H., Greenberg, P., such promotions” (Meichum K., Wechsler, H., Greenberg, P., Hang, L., 2003).Hang, L., 2003).

Students will seek out the best drink specials and cheap Students will seek out the best drink specials and cheap alcohol that is most convenient and closest to them for the alcohol that is most convenient and closest to them for the alcohol needs. alcohol needs.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION As it has been in the past and still is today, As it has been in the past and still is today,

college drinking has become a culture, where college drinking has become a culture, where these traditions have developed into beliefs and these traditions have developed into beliefs and customs that are entrenched in every level of customs that are entrenched in every level of college students’ environments. Customs which college students’ environments. Customs which have been handed down through generations of have been handed down through generations of college drinkers and reinforce students’ college drinkers and reinforce students’ expectations that alcohol is a necessary expectations that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for social success. These traditions ingredient for social success. These traditions are embedded in all levels of students’ are embedded in all levels of students’ environments including college sports arenas, environments including college sports arenas, community, and carried over into alumni community, and carried over into alumni traditions. The risks and consequences of binge traditions. The risks and consequences of binge drinking on college students are monumental drinking on college students are monumental and must be addressed more thoroughly.and must be addressed more thoroughly.

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