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Student drinkers are more responsible than young adult workers

08 Oct 2010

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Drinkaware research challenges student drinking stereotypes.

New research released by alcohol charity Drinkaware, following the launch of their partnership with National Union of Students (NUS), indicates that despite popular myth, students’ attitudes to drinking may actually be healthier than their working counterparts.  A third (32%) of students aged 18-24 say they stop drinking once they have reached their personal limit, while just over a quarter (28%) of those who work manage to do the same.

One in 20 (5%) of those who work think it is socially acceptable to end up in hospital as a direct result, or for reasons associated with alcohol, while just 3% of students think the same.   7% of those in employment think it is fine to be reprimanded by the police for anti-social behaviour as a result of alcohol, compared to only 3% of students.

As universities across the country begin a new year, the research challenges the stereotype of students being some of the worse drinkers in the UK. However, it also indicates that, despite best intentions, there is still a problem that needs to be addressed.  More than half (54%) of students admit they still consume at least double the daily unit guidelines when drinking socially and almost a third (30%) have blacked out or lost their memory due to drinking too much.

Drinkaware and NUS have joined forces to provide tips and advice for students and help universities combat excessive alcohol consumption.  The partnership is in support of the wider ‘Why Let Good Times Go Bad?’ campaign; a five year £100 million initiative to challenge the social acceptability of drunkenness among young UK adults, run by Drinkaware in partnership with more than 40 companies from across the drinks industry.

The research of over 1,700 18-24 year olds, who either study or are in employment, also shows half the students surveyed are concerned about the long-term health risks of drinking alcohol with nearly one in five (19%) declaring that tips and advice on how to drink less would influence them to consume less alcohol.  Peer pressure appears to be a contributing factor to student drinking as almost a third (29%) feel they will be ridiculed if they choose to avoid alcohol on a night out.

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says: “Despite the reputation students have of drinking to excess, being at university shouldn’t be seen as synonymous with being drunk.  We need to challenge this stereotype and combat the acceptability of drunkenness among all young adults, whether they are a student or not. 

“University is where many young adults take their first steps into adult life; living away from home and taking on greater responsibility for their future. It is also a time when many students drink to excess so this is a key time to provide them with tips and advice. Drinkaware has teamed up with NUS to offer the facts about alcohol and encourage students to make informed decisions about drinking which we hope will positively impact their future.”

Ben Whittaker, NUS Vice-President (Welfare), adds: "We must not trivialise the problem of excessive drinking amongst any group, including students, and this research demonstrates that young people are often not the drunken louts they are painted as - it must be recognised that this is not just a student issue but a national one.  Suggesting that drunkenness is the norm amongst students can be a self-fulfilling prophecy that results in pressure to partake in dangerous behaviour and this is simply not acceptable.

“NUS is working to make sure that no-one wants or feels the pressure to drink to excess and the 'Why Let Good Times Go Bad' campaign provides those that do want to drink with information that will help them to do so more safely. They should make sure they know how to contact their friends and how they're getting home, to eat plenty before drinking and to make sure to drink plenty or water or other soft-drinks throughout the evening."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

All figures are from ICM.  Total sample size of students and those who are working was 1,715 taken from a greater sample of 2,000 18-24 year olds in Great Britain. Fieldwork was undertaken between 5th – 11th August 2010.  The survey was carried out online.
 
About Drinkaware:

Drinkaware advises men to stay within the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (equivalent of a pint and a half of lager) and women to stay within 2-3 units per day (equivalent of a 175ml glass of wine).

Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works with the medical profession, the alcohol industry, government and independent members to achieve its goals.

About Drinkaware partnership with the NUS:

Drinkaware and NUS are working in partnership to tackle alcohol misuse within universities and the student population. Strategic meetings have taken place and further, more in depth meetings, are being planned for the coming months.  NUS are going to be closely involved with the development and implementation of the ‘Why Let Good Times Go Bad? campaign within universities.

About alcohol misuse:

Each year, alcohol misuse for all ages costs society the NHS around £2.7 billion, although the wider cost to society including crime and disorder, social and family breakdown and sickness absence is estimated at closer to £22billion(1).  Binge drinking among adults under 25 is of particular concern with nearly 50,000 16-24 year olds admitted to hospital in England and Wales in 2007/08 due to alcohol related causes(2). 

1. Department of Work and Pensions (2010) State of the nation report: poverty, worklessness and welfare dependency in the UK
2. NHS Information Centre (2009) Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2009

 

 

 

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