College binge drinking has been one of this nation’s most intractable problems. But, shortly before the Pandemic we saw that older kids were drinking a lot less than we would expect based on previous generations. There could be many reasons: concern over health, social media documentation of drunken behavior, parents’ admonitions, etc.

Millennials and Gen Zers are drinking less than older generations, in part because of fears related to losing control while drunk and having the evidence shared on Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook.

– Business Insider, February 2019

But now we have data and studies about college age youth during the Pandemic. And, we’re getting a fuller picture of the issue. A study by Brown University interviewed two groups of students: heavy drinkers and those who reported use of alcohol and cannabis. They concluded, “This study documents COVID-19 related changes in drinking among college student drinkers that were attributed to changes in context, particular a shift away from heavy drinking with peers to lighter drinking with family.”

Another study from the University of North Carolina found something similar: that a reduction in social engagement led to overall declines in alcohol use and binge drinking. That means students had less social encouragement from friends for drinking. A study authored by colleagues from University of Washington appeared to confirm that drinking declined during the Pandemic: “Most students in our sample reported decreased alcohol use and perceived decreases in peers’ alcohol use.” They noted that perception of peers’ use may have been a factor in the decline.

Finally, the national survey, Monitoring the Future, confirmed that “Binge drinking continues to decline among college students. In 2020, it decreased a significant 7.8 percentage points to 24%, a new historic low over the past four decades.”

So, what have we learned about college binge drinking and how do we promote healthy trends? A few things:

The importance of social context: A common theme was lighter drinking when drinking with family. Less drinking was associated with less social engagement. How could college officials, parents, prevention programs and regulators promote better socialization such as sports, nature walks, hiking? What about social events with a wide variety of beverages–both alcohol and non-alcohol?

Concerns about health: Most states closed bars and restaurants during the Pandemic and the Texas Medical Association ranked bars as high-risk places.

When states opened such places, they often required attention to social distance, capacity and cleanliness. How can communities and regulators promote healthier drinking environments?

Lingering problems:

Finally, there is some evidence that adults drank more during the Pandemic. In a study using the RAND Corporations’ nationally representative sample of those 18 years and older, they found that alcohol was consumed 1 day more per month by 3 of 4 adults. And, for women there was a significant increase in heavy drinking compared to the baseline data for 2019. While there has been more drinking at home, some of it may be a substitute for drinking when bars and restaurants were more open. Communities need local data, but they also need to remind adults that they are role models for their children. How can communities address this issue?

Send me your ideas!

Readers of this newsletter have a lot of expertise, so I want to know what people think about this issue and how can we promote responsible drinking. I will do another article that highlights some of the best ideas! I can be reached via email: pam@pamaction.com.

Sources:

“Sales of nonalcoholic booze are on the rise — and it reveals a dark truth about social-media surveillance culture“, Business Insider, February 14, 2019

2020 Volume 2 the Sponsored by The National Institute on Drug Abuse at The National Institutes of Health College Students & Adults Ages 19–60 John E. Schulenberg Megan E. Patrick Lloyd D. Johnston Patrick M. O’Malley Jerald G. Bachman Richard A. Miech.

“The Effect of Social and Stress-Related Factors on Alcohol Use Among College Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic“, Jane Cooley Fruehwirth, Ph.D., Benjamin L. Gorman and Krista M. Perreira, Ph.D. , Journal of Adolescent Health 69 (2021) 557e565, June 16, 2021.

“Changes in Alcohol Use and Drinking Context due to the COVIC-19 Pandemic: A Multimethod Study of College Student Drinkers,” Kristina M. Jackson, Jennifer E. Merrill, Angela K. Stevens, Kerri L. Hayes, Helene R. White; March 23, 2021.

“Changes in College Student Alcohol Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Perceived Drinking Norms Still Relevant?” Scott Graupensperger, Anna E. Jaffe, Charles N. B. Fleming, Jason R. Kilmer, Christine M. Lee, and Mary E. Larimer,

Michael S. Pollard, PhD¹; Joan S. Tucker, PhD¹; Harold D. Green Jr, PhD²; JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2022942. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22942

Special Issue: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives of Emerging Adults”, Christine McCauley Ohannessian, July 7, 2021

“VCU frat members charged in hazing death of 19-year-old freshman” New York Post, By Patrick Reilly, September 25, 2021