Binge-drinking students more cheerful despite health risks, study says

UNIVERSITY students are happier when they binge drink according to a new study.

Scientists in the US discovered that students who engaged in alcohol-fuelled nights out were more cheerful and content than those who were more restrained. However they warned that the “positive social effects” of binge drinking were no protection against its health hazards.

Regular binge drinking can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease and damage to the brain, as well as anti-social behaviour and accidental injuries.

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The researchers found a strong drinking culture among “high status” students.

Wealthy, male, white, heterosexual undergraduates were more likely to binge drink according to the research which suggested drinking was a “symbolic proxy for high status in college”.

Findings from the study, conducted among nearly 1,600 undergraduates at a US arts college, were presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Denver.

The US researchers’ definition of binge drinking was consuming at least four drinks for women and five drinks for men in one session.

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Among students taking part in the study, the average binge drinker consumed 13.7 drinks per week, and the average non-binge drinker 4.2 drinks.

Dr Carolyn Hsu, from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, said: “Binge drinking is what the most powerful, wealthy, and happy students on campus do. This may explain why it’s such a desirable activity. When lower status students binge drink, they may be trying to tap into the benefits and the social satisfaction that those kids from high status groups enjoy. “

Students in all groups enjoyed college more when they participated in the campus binge drinking culture, she said.

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