What about alcohol and substance use among students?

Did you know?

If you can no longer keep your substance use or a certain behaviour under control, and you feel like it is controlling your life, you might be suffering from an addiction or substance abuse problems. The best known addictions are those to alcohol, nicotine, drugs and medication. Besides substances, certain behaviours can be addictive as well, such as gambling, gaming and surfing the internet. 70% of all adult alcohol addictions originate in student life.

Nearly 8 out of 10 (78%) report alcohol consumption. 26% consume alcohol less than once a month, 29% two to three times a month, 18% two to three times a week, and 5% consume alcohol more than four times a week.

Regarding the amount of alcohol consumed, 22% indicate consuming less than three units per occasion, 26% 3 to 4 units, 29% 5 to 6 units, 18% 7 to 9 units and 5% ten or more units of alcohol per occasion.

Although data on substance use, 28% have used cannabinoids at some point and 8% have taken prescription and/or non-prescription medication (with the intention of getting high, intoxicated or sedated). 7% take opioids, LSD or speed and 4% take stimulants (such as cocaine).

8%

of students screen positive for an alcohol-related problem. The age of onset of alcohol-related problems roughly fluctuates between 15-16 years.

5%

of students screen positive for a problem related to a substance other than alcohol. Substance-related problems have an age of onset of 18 years.

The prevalence of alcohol-related problems also varies as a function of specific student characteristics. For example, they are more common among academic undergraduates, master's students and students in a foundation/intermediate year

Conclusions

  • Respectively 5 and 8% screen positive for a disorder
  • 13% ever used medication as a drug
  • Alcohol/medication use often co-occurs with mental health problems
  • The use of alcohol, and by extension other substances such as medication, should receive adequate attention within an integrated prevention and health policy in higher education
Back to the results 2022-2023
Back to the results 2022-2023