Drinking To Get Drunk Among Incoming Freshmen College Students

Background: 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.