PROBLEMATIC COLLEGE DRINKING BEHAVIORS AS A FUNCTION OF 1ST INTOXICATION

In order to provide more effective alcohol and drug prevention programming and treatment intervention strategies, the University of Maine undertook in early 1990 a survey of undergraduate students. An important question the research addressed is whether there is a relationship between an early first intoxication experience and the development of alcohol or drug related problems in later college life. Results indicated that those college students who reported the earliest experiences of intoxication also reported the greatest frequency of substance abuse related problem. These data should have applicability to substance abuse prevention programming, assessment, and treatment.