amount of alcohol consumed didn't matter, provided the individual did not

show the effects and that when an individual was drunk they should not be

considered as responsible for their actions as when sober. A higher proportion

of regular binge drinkers drank for enjoyment and sociability in comparison to

other drinkers. A higher proportion of regular binge drinkers also drank to

forget worries (15% vs 10%) when anxious or depressed, or lonely, or felt they

needed to drink.

Regular binge drinkers spent fewer hours per week on study during college

term and a higher amount of time working in comparison to other students

who drank.  Consequently, regular binge drinkers had a higher average

income from work in comparison to others, although they had a similar

income from family and grants.  Regular binge drinkers spent less on

accommodation, spent a similar amount on food, but spent twice as much on

alcohol per month ( 148) in comparison to other student drinkers ( 69).

A higher number of students who drank alcohol but did not binge drink on a

regular basis were more satisfied with their health and perceived their general

health as excellent or very good in comparison to regular binge drinkers.

However, there was no difference in quality of life or perceived mental health.

A higher number of regular binge drinkers participated in sport in comparison

to others.  Exams, studies in general and relationships were contributing

sources of stress for both groups. However, for regular binge drinkers, their

financial situation and work outside of college were higher sources of stress. 

Regular binge drinkers were more likely to engage in other risk taking

behaviours. They were twice as likely to be smokers and cannabis users and

were more sexually active than other student drinkers. A higher number of

binge drinkers were involved at an earlier age in smoking, drinking and sexual

activity.  Methods used to prevent pregnancy were similar for both groups in

relation to condom use, although regular binge drinkers were less likely to use

the contraceptive pill.  Half of female binge drinkers had used the morning

after pill, an emergency contraception in comparison to one third of other

drinkers.  The findings of this study support the men's health report which

showed that binge drinkers were more likely to engage in impulsive risk

taking behaviours

3

.

Those who were regular binge drinkers were less likely to consider positive

responses to cope with anxiety and depression such as talk to someone or

look for information. However, similar responses were reported for both

groups in relation to poor coping strategies of not wanting to share problems

with others or to try and ignore the problem. A higher number of binge

drinkers reported they would take drugs or get drunk (14%) in comparison to

other drinkers (4%) to cope with anxiety and depression.

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