This section examines the hypothesis   does high risk drinking increase the

risk of harm for the drinker and if so to what extent? The dynamics of binge

drinking with a number of key student well being and welfare indicators are

also explored using underlying perceptions about alcohol, student living

conditions, general health, risk taking behaviours in general and coping

skills. The non drinkers (5%) in the study were excluded from these analyses.

The likelihood of students experiencing adverse consequences from their

own drinking increased with more frequent binge drinking episodes.

Students who were regular binge drinkers, defined as binge drinking at least

weekly, were two to three times more likely to experience a range of

adverse consequences as a result of their drinking in comparison to students

who were binge drinking less frequently, or were non binge drinkers (Table

22).  Two thirds of students who were regular binge drinkers felt the affect

of alcohol while at class/work in comparison to 27% of other drinkers.

Regular binge drinkers were twice as likely to miss school/work (61% vs

27%), reported their studies/work were harmed (38% vs 18%) and thought

they should cut down on their drinking (43% vs 19%) in comparison to

students who were binge drinking less frequently. Money problems, fights,

unprotected sex and accidents were three times more likely to occur among

students who engaged in regular binge drinking.  

Table 22: Experiences of adverse consequences by high risk drinking

Harms Experienced

Regular binge drinkers 

Less frequent binge or 

non binge drinkers

%

%

Regretted things said or done

75.8

48.1*

Felt alcohol effects while at class/work

63.8

27.5*

Missed school/work days due to alcohol

61.2

27.3*

Should cut down

43.2

19.2*

Harmed work/studies

38.5

18.5*

Money problems

31.7

9.8*

Harmed health

28.0

15.0*

Got into fight

22.0

6.1*

Unintended sex

21.0

7.8*

Unprotected sex 

18.5

5.5*

Harmed friendships

15.9

6.6*

Harmed relationship / home life

14.8

6.2*

Been in accident

13.4

4.2*

*significant between drinking pattern (p<.01)

44