Substance and Alcohol Abuse among College Students: Contributing Factors and Intervention Strategies

Abstract

College and university students in many countries are at increased risk for heavy drinking, with serious immediate health risks (e.g. drink-driving and other substance use), and longer-term risks (e.g. alcohol dependence).  Certainly, alcohol consumption of college students has impact on the students themselves and also the college community in general, where the misuse of alcohol can lead to a wide variety of consequences, the most severe being alcohol abuse, dependence, and death. Alcohol use has been an issue of great ambivalence throughout the rich and long history of the Indian subcontinent. The behaviors and attitudes about alcohol use in India are very complex, contradictory and convoluted because of the many different influences in that history. The pattern of drinking in India has undergone a change from occasional & ritualistic use to being a social event The harmful use of alcohol is a particularly grave threat to men. It is the leading risk factor for death in males ages 15–59, mainly due to injuries, violence and cardiovascular diseases. Globally, 6.2% of all male deaths are attributable to alcohol, compared to 1.1% of female deaths. The rationale of this study is a step to acknowledge the pattern of alcohol use in the youngsters in order to take suitable measures to curb this evil.

Keywords: Alcohol Abuse; College Students; Intervention Strategies