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The Motivation for Alcohol Reward: Predictors of Progressive-Ratio Intravenous Alcohol Self-Administration in Humans
Published on: April 28, 2022
High-risk drinking characteristics in collegiate athletes
James Brenner1, Kathleen Swanik
1Department of Health, West Chester University's, West Chester, PA 19383-2515, USA. jbrenner@wcupa.edu.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|December 20, 2007
Summary
College athletes exhibit high-risk alcohol consumption, with team sport participants and those in higher competition levels reporting more frequent heavy drinking occasions. This study highlights concerning trends in student-athlete alcohol use.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is prevalent among college students.
- Understanding patterns of alcohol use in college athletes is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates varied alcohol use behaviors across different athletic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between alcohol use patterns and sport participation (team vs. individual).
- To examine how time of year and level of competition influence alcohol consumption in college athletes.
- To quantify the prevalence of high-risk drinking occasions among student-athletes.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 720 college athletes from Divisions I, II, and III across 9 institutions.
- Assessed alcohol consumption characteristics, focusing on recent heavy drinking occasions (5+ drinks).
- Differentiated participants by sport type (team vs. individual) and competitive level.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of college athletes reported consuming 5 or more drinks per occasion in the past two weeks.
- Team sport athletes showed higher rates of this high-risk behavior compared to individual sport athletes.
- Significant variations in alcohol use were observed based on the level of athletic competition.
Conclusions:
- College athletes report alarmingly high rates of high-risk alcohol use, exceeding previous estimates.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored alcohol prevention strategies for college athletes.
- The study provides data for developing practical interventions to mitigate risky drinking behaviors in this population.
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