College-Student Drinking Patterns during the First 4 Years

Risky drinking is common among college students and is associated with negative consequences. To identify drinking trajectories in this group, researchers in Sweden examined AUDIT* scores in a cohort of 359 students each year over their first 4 college years. Trajectories of students with risky drinking at college admission (AUDIT scores ≥11 for men and ≥7 for women) and a random sample of those with lower risk scores were analyzed. The prevalence of risky drinking at baseline was 27%.

• Over the 4-year assessment period, 16% of the students consistently reported risky drinking, and 13% increased consumption from lower risk to risky drinking.

• Among students with risky drinking at admission, the majority (59%) continued risky drinking over the study period.

• Less than half (41%) reported a decrease in drinking.

• Among those with lower risk drinking at baseline, most continued lower risk drinking (83%). Fourteen percent had an increase in drinking over their college years, and 3% had an increase around the end of their college years.

• Gender differences influenced trajectories. Men were more likely to report consistent risky drinking, while women were more likely to report a decrease.

Comments:

Periodic reassessment and interventions regarding drinking and consequences over the course of the college years are needed, not only because students with risky drinking do not appear to get better on their own, but because drinking may increase during this period of critical change for young adults.

Nicolas Bertholet, MD, MSc

Reference:

Johnsson KO, Leifman A, Berglund M. College students’ drinking patterns: trajectories of AUDIT scores during the first four years at university. Eur Addict Res. 2008;14(1):11–18.