Binge Drinking Scholar

To examine the extent of binge drinking by college students and the ensuing health and behavioral problems that binge drinkers create for themselves and others on their campus. DESIGN--Self-administered survey mailed to a national representative sample of US 4-year college students. SETTING--One hundred forty US 4-year colleges in 1993. PARTICIPANTS--A total of 17,592 college students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Self-reports of drinking behavior, alcohol-related health problems, and other problems. RESULTS--Almost half (44%) of college students responding to the survey were binge drinkers, including almost one fifth (19%) of the students who were frequent binge drinkers. Frequent binge drinkers are more likely to experience serious health and other consequences of their drinking behavior than other students. Almost half (47%) of the frequent binge drinkers experienced five or more different drinking-related problems, including injuries and engaging in unplanned sex, since the beginning of the school year. Most binge drinkers do not