Title

Drinking to Get Drunk Among Incoming Freshmen College Students

Abstract

The consumption of alcohol is ubiquitous on many college and university campuses. For some freshmen students, drinking may even be considered a “right of passage.” Purpose: This study examined college freshmen who intentionally drink alcohol to get drunk (DTGD). Methods: Survey data from 307 incoming freshmen college students living in freshmen residence halls who reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days were analyzed. Results: The majority (76.9%) of these self-reported drinkers reported DTGD. Relative to other freshmen drinkers, those who reported DTGD were significantly more likely to have consumed alcohol before going out to a party or bar, participated in a drinking game, drank heavily on a non-school night but not on a school night, used liquor, used beer, combined alcohol and drugs, experienced a hangover, vomited, passed out, and/or blacked out. Discussion: The associations support DTGD as a measure of pre-meditated, controlled and intentional consumption of alcohol to reach a state of inebriation. Translation to Health Education Practice: Common intentional drunkenness as observed in this study population may have implications for college alcohol risk reduction programs.

Department(s)

Public Health and Sports Medicine

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2011.10599176

Publication Date

2011

Journal Title

American Journal of Health Education

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