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A Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Practices Among College Students
Author(s): SHIRLEY E. HABERMAN
Source: Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, Vol. 39, No. 2 (Winter, 1994), pp. 85-100
Published by: Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE)
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/45092025
Accessed: 06-03-2024 14:57 +00:00
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A Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Practices
Among College Students
SHIRLEY E. HABERMAN
Student Health Services
University of Pittsburgh
Abstract
This study reports on the alcohol and drug use of students enrolled
in a mid-Atlantic university . Ninety percent of the respondents
indicated that they currently use alcohol or have done so in the past.
Thirty-nine percent used alcohol one or more times weekly. Less
than one percent reported daily use of alcohol. In reference to other
drugs , 40% indicated previous or current use of marijuana, 11%
cocaine , and 11% "speed" or other stimulants. A number of students
indicated past , but not current use of illicit drugs. These findings
suggest a growth of intolerance toward drug abuse among college
students.
Widespread,
Widespread, college college
students excessive have andstudents have been
been even documented documented
destructive by drinking by numerous
numerous researchers
patterns researchers among
(Barnes & Welte, 1983; Engs & Hanson, 1985; Kinnick, Genova,
Ogden & Rodriguez, 1985; Wechsler, McFadden & Rohman, 1980).
Students may use alcohol to compensate for low self-esteem, to increase
sociability, and to relieve tension and stress (Saltz & Elandt, 1986).
Students who develop drinking problems tend to have fewer coping skills,
lower self-esteem, fewer ties to conventional campus life, and a perception
of themselves as being under more stress than other students (Matuszewski,
1987). Further, problem drinkers tend to be more impulsive, prone to
deviant behavior and less oriented to academic success (Berkowitz &
Perkins, 1986). A relationship has been demonstrated between unintended
sexual activity and alcohol (Flanigan & Hitch, 1986). It is also likely that
alcohol is a frequent factor in acquaintance rape of college campuses
(Spitzhoff, 1986).
The possibility of alcohol being a gateway drug to other drugs has been
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raised in the literature. While not all alcohol users progress to other drug
experimentation, heavier alcohol use has been associated with marijuana use
(Wechsler et al., 1980).
The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment that could
identify the actual alcohol and other drug using patterns of college students
at an urban, four-year university. The results of the survey provide a base
for more effective planning of student health promotion programs.
In the winter term of 1991 , the Student Health Service of a large, urban,
research university in the mid-Atlantic United States conducted a survey of
1,000 full-time students. The subjects were randomly selected from a
computer generated list of full-time students. Each student was mailed a
packet containing a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study and
instructions for responding to the questionnaire, a postage-paid envelope,
a postcard and the questionnaire.
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Instructions on the questionnaire requested anonymous responses.
Packets were mailed to 700 undergraduates and 300 graduates. A 44%
return rate yielded a sample size of 440 students, representing 286
undergraduates and 153 graduate students. Demographic information about
the respondents is shown in Table 1 .
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stimulants. Regular use of illicit drugs was found to be virtually nonexistent
(less than one percent). The majority of the respondents reported that they
had never tried an illicit drug.
Alcohol and other drug use was identified as problematic for friends and
relatives of the respondents. Thirty-five percent (35%) reported that a close
blood relative had an alcohol or other drug use problem while 2% identified
themselves as recovering alcoholics and/or addicts. Forty-nine percent
(49%) of the respondents reported that at least one friend had an alcohol or
other drug use problem. Greeks were more likely to report a friend with a
problem than independents (65% vs. 47%). See Table 3 for selected items
based on Greek affiliation. Seventeen percent (17%) of the students believed
that they drank more than their friends and that they handled their alcohol
well. Eight percent (8%) of the respondents had been "annoyed" by friends
criticizing their drinking or drug use habits or patterns. Furthermore, 9%
had friends that expressed concern about their alcohol and other drug use.
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or have used marijuana and about 13% have tried LSD. See Table 5 for
selected items based on residence.
Discussion
The results of this study are generally consistent with other recent
studies that have documented declining levels of alcohol and other drug use
among college students (Johnston, et. al., 1991). The declining trend which
this study identified appears to contradict popular perceptions of college
students and their use of alcohol and other drugs.
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and unhealthy behaviors is compromised when students are impaired by the
use of alcohol or other drugs (Flanigan and Hitch, 1986).
There are several limitations inherent in this study which include the
following:
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Recommendations
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5) Information about the signs of problem drinking or other
drug use and how to approach a friend about these problems
are also indicated. Friends helping friends is an extremely
valuable concept to promote on the college campus. Peers
can be effective change agents and learn to avoid enabling
students with problems. Resident assistants are among those
who can benefit from specialized training in these areas.
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Colleges have an opportunity to have an impact on the drinking
problems occurring on their campuses. Educational programs, support
groups and public information campaigns are just several ways to maintain
a high visibility around these issues.
References
Barnes, G.M. & Welte, J.W. (1983). Predictors of alcohol use among
college students in New York state. Journal of American College
Health, 57:150-157.
Berko witz A. & Perkins, H.W. (1986). Problem drinking among college
students: A review of recent research. Journal of American College
Health , 55:21-28.
Engs, R.C. & Hanson, C.E. (1985). The drinking patterns and problems of
college students. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education , 5i(l):65-83.
Fell, J.C. & Nash, C.E. (1989). The nature of the alcohol problem in the
U.S. fatal crashes. Health Education Quarterly , 16: 359-372.
Flanigan, B.J. & Hitch, M.A. (1986). Alcohol use, sexual intercourse and
contraception: An exploratory study. Journal of Alcohol and Drug
Education , J7(3):6-38.
Johnston, L.D., O'Malley, P.M. & Bachman, J.G. (1991). Drug Use
Among American High School Seniors , College Students and Young
Adults , 1975-1990 , Vol. II. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, 139-149.
Kinnick, B.C., Genova, N.S., Odgen, J.R. & Rodriguez, A.F. (1985).
Alcohol consumption: A comparison of 1978 and 1982 data at one
university. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education , 57(l):41-49.
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Matuszewski, J. E. (1987). Toward the prediction of drinking problems
among college students: The relative contributions of cognitive,
behavioral, and environmental factors (Doctoral Dissertation, University
of Rhode Island, Providence, 1987). Dissertation Abstracts
International , 47(8):3532-B.
Table 1
Distribution of subjects by gender, race, and
class standing compared to overall full-time
student population
Survey University
Respondents Students
N = 440 N = 18694
Characteristic % %
Sex
Male 43 54
Female 57 46
Class
Freshman 14 30
Sophomore 10 18
Junior 18 14
Senior 23 10
Graduate 35 28
Race
White 92 90
Black 4 7
Hispanic 1 *
Asian/Pacific Islander 3 3
Native American * *
•Less than 1 %
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Table 2
Percentage of Responses to Selected Questions About
Alcohol and Other Drug Use (Sample Size = 440)
I am a recovering alcoholic/addict
6 2
Alcohol usage
Never 45 10
Past use but not presently 9 2
Once or twice per year 52 12
Once or twice per month 161 37
Once or twice per week 132 30
Several times per week 38 9
Daily 3 *
Marijuana usag
Never 262 60
Past use but not presently 100 23
Once or twice per year 40 9
Once or twice per month 24 6
Once or twice per week 6 1
Several times per week 6 1
Daily 1 *
Lysergic Acid
usage
Never 405 93
Past use but not presently 20 5
Once or twice per year 10 2
Once or twice per month 2 2
Once or twice per week 1 *
Several Times per week 2 *
Daily 0 0
"Speed" or othe
Never 388 88
Past use but not presently 41 9
Once or twice per year 2 1
Once or twice per month 6 1
Once or twice per week 2 1
Several times per week 1 *
Daily 0 0
♦Less than 1 %
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Table 2 (continued)
Cocaine usage
Never 389 89
Past use but not presently 41 7
Once or twice per year 2 3
Once or twice per month 6 1
Once or twice per week 2 *
Several times per week 1 +
Daily 0 0
Crack or freeba
Never 436 99
Past use but not presently 2 1
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Table 2 (continued)
*Less than 1 %
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Table 3
Percentage of Responses to Selected Questions Based
on Greek Affiliation
Greek Indep.
Item
Alcohol usage
Never 2 4 43 11
Over 1 year ago 0 0 9 2
1 or 2 X per year 1 2 51 13
1 or 2 X per month 18 33 143 37
1 or 2 X per week 23 42 106 28
Several per week 9 17 29 8
Daily
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Table 4
Percentage of Responses to Selected Questions Based
on Gender
Male Female
Item
# % a %
Alcohol usage?
Never 23 12 22 9
Past use 164 88 230 91
Marijuana usage?
Never 107 58 154 61
Past use 79 42 98 39
Cocaine usage?
Never 160 86 228 90
Past use 26 14 24 10
problem
True 53 29 100 40
False 131 71 149 60
Memory lapses
True 40 27 40 9
False 106 73 169 91
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Table 5
LSD
At home 117 97 3 3
Dorm 74 96 3 4
Fraternity 6 100 0 0
Rent alone 55 89 7 11
Rent with others 94 85 16 15
Alcohol
At home 21 17 99 83
Dorm 10 13 69 87
Fraternity 0 0 6 100
Rent alone 7 11 55 89
Rent with others 5 4 106 96
Marijuana
At home 88 74 31 26
Dorm 51 66 26 34
Fraternity 4 67 2 33
Rent alone 33 53 29 47
Rent with others 48 43 63 57
Cocaine
At home 115 96 5 4
Dorm 75 97 2 3
Fraternity 5 83 1 17
Rent alone 52 84 10 16
Rent with others 89 80 22 20
Speed/Stimulants
At home 113 94 7 6
Dorm 73 95 4 5
Fraternity 5 83 1 17
Rent alone 53 85 9 15
Rent with others 90 81 21 19
With spouse and/or children 45 85 8 15
Other 8 80 2 20
100
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