Excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking in college students

PeerJ. 2022 May 4:10:e13368. doi: 10.7717/peerj.13368. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: Binge drinking (BD) refers to a pattern of alcohol consumption characterized by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time followed by periods of abstinence. This drinking pattern is prevalent worldwide, mainly among young people. Excessive alcohol consumption is the spectrum of consumption patterns that may have or have had health consequences, and includes the concepts of risky alcohol use, harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependence according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), the latter two are currently grouped into alcohol use disorder (AUD) according to the fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5). Due to the high prevalence of BD among young people, especially university students, as well as the important consequences of its practice, a study was conducted to evaluate excessive alcohol consumption and its relationship with the practice of BD in university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (aged 18-30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018-2019 at the Faculty of Nursing at a university in northern Spain. Data collection included sociodemographic information, and alcohol use information, collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. To measure the excessive alcohol consumption, this study used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Results: A total of 142 participants were included, of which 88.03% were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Up to 14.77% of non-BD participants and 66.67% of BD participants were classified as risky drinkers (AUDIT Total geq 8 in men or geq 6 in women) (p < 0.001). Up to 3.41% of the non-BD and 24.07% of the BD were drinkers with harmful alcohol use and probable alcohol dependence (AUDIT Total geq 13) (p < 0.001). A total of 5.68% of non-BD and 42.59% of BD were AUD drinkers (AUDIT Total geq 9 in males or geq 8 in females) (p < 0.001). In addition, statistically significant differences were found between the BD and non-BD groups in the responses to each of the AUDIT items, as well as in the total score and also in the scores of the three domains of the questionnaire.

Conclusions: Excessive alcohol consumption is frequent among university students, especially among those who practice BD.

Keywords: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; Alcohol drinking in college; Alcohol-related disorders; Binge drinking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking in College*
  • Alcoholism* / diagnosis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the University of Cantabria by means of the “Resolución de 4 de octubre de 2019 (R.R. 701/19), del vicerrector de Ordenación Académica y Profesorado, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras y se convocan ayudas para contratos predoctorales de formación de profesorado universitario”. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.