Alcohol Abuse

Coupled with Anxiety

Disorder in College
Students
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder is very common
yet has many negative impacts on
a person's life. This is commonly
related to panic disorder and can
be treated with medications and
therapy [1].

Alcohol Abuse Disorder

Alcohol abuse disorder is very
prevalent in adults and nearly one-
third of American adults are
suffering from this disorder. This
disorder can be treated
medications that aid in abstinence
[2].

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is defined as having 5 or

44% more consecutive drinks for men and 4

or more consecutive. drinks for women
in a two hour time span. It has been
shown that around 44% of college
students binge drink [3].

The Complications of
Combining Anxiety Disorder
with Alcohol Abuse
Anxiety disorder is very prevalent
in college students; however, when
alcohol is also being consumed or
abused it is hard for a physician to
diagnose the anxiety disorder [4].
 Are You At Risk?

45% 36%

Prevalence of Anxiety Among College

Students
In college students it has been shown that about
45% have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
However, only about 20% of those with an anxiety
disorder are seeking treatment [3].

It is important to note that the

percentage of students with
anxiety disorder is likely higher
because many students have not
sought treatment.

Common Risk Factors Include:

College students with anxiety

disorder may use alcohol as a
crutch when dealing with their
stressors. If this is done for a
prolonged time there may be
consequences both physically
and mentally.

Factors That Increase Risk of

Alcohol Abuse
*Impulsivity
*Aggressive Behaviors
*Heightened social awareness
*Untreated Attention-deficit
disorders
[5]
What Can Be Done
To Help?

Educate Yourself On Your

Risk For Alcohol Abuse
College students who began to
drink at a young age are more
likely to develop an alcohol abuse
problem. Also, men are more at
risk [6].

Begin Preventative
Screenings
Upon arrival at a university it
could be beneficial to be
screened for possible anxiety.
By doing this intervention can
begin early [7].

For More Information Visit...

SAMSHA: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-
help/national-helpline

NAMI: https://nami.org/
 References

1. Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG. Diagnosis and

management of generalized anxiety disorder
and panic disorder in adults. Am Fam
Physician 2015;91(9):617-24
2. Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L. Advances
in the science and treatment of alcohol use
disorder. Sci Adv 2019;5(9):eaax4043 doi:
10.1126/sciadv.aax4043[published Online
First: Epub Date]|.
3. Nourse R, Adamshick P, Stoltzfus J. College
Binge Drinking and Its Association with
Depression and Anxiety: A Prospective
Observational Study. East Asian Arch
Psychiatry 2017;27(1):18-25
4. Roy-Byrne P. Treatment-refractory anxiety;
definition, risk factors, and treatment
challenges. Dialogues Clin Neurosci
2015;17(2):191-206 doi:
10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.2/proybyrne[publishe
d Online First: Epub Date]|.
5. Elton A, Garbutt JC, Boettiger CA. Risk and
resilience for alcohol use disorder revealed in
brain functional connectivity. Neuroimage
Clin 2021;32:102801 doi:
10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102801[published Online
First: Epub Date]|.
6. Berenz EC, McNett S, Rappaport LM, et al.
Age of alcohol use initiation and psychiatric
symptoms among young adult trauma
survivors. Addict Behav 2019;88:150-56 doi:
10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.022[published
Online First: Epub Date]|.
7. Hoying J, Melnyk BM, Hutson E, Tan A.
Prevalence and Correlates of Depression,
Anxiety, Stress, Healthy Beliefs, and Lifestyle
Behaviors in First-Year Graduate Health
Sciences Students. Worldviews Evid Based
Nurs 2020;17(1):49-59 doi:
10.1111/wvn.12415[published Online First:
Epub Date]|.