DRINKING GAMES AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO DRINKING AMONG MODERATE AND HEAVY DRINKERS

The playing of drinking games, the quantity-frequency of alcohol consu mption, and various problems related to drinking were assessed among a national sample of 3,830 alcohol consuming students from 58 American colleges and universities during the 1990-1991 academic year. Among Li ght-Moderate drinkers, a significantly higher proportion of students w ho had played a drinking game experienced 15 of 17 drinking-related pr oblems. On the other hand, among Heavy drinkers there was little diffe rence between game and nongame players. A higher percentage of game pl ayers had experienced five of the problems. Generally, for many proble ms, more than twice as many Heavy drinkers among both game and nongame players had exhibited the problem compared to more moderate drinkers. It was concluded that game playing appeared to increase problems rela ted to alcohol primarily among more moderate drinkers whereas those wh o were heavy drinkers were exhibiting more problems regardless of thei r game-playing status. Education about the effect of game playing amon g students who are moderate drinkers should be addressed.