Drinking levels, alcohol problems and secondhand effects in substance-freecollege residences: Results of a national study

Objective: This study examines alcohol use, associated problems and secondh and effects among residents of substance-free and alcohol-free housing on U .S, college campuses. Method: In the spring of 1999, a nationally represent ative sample of students completed survey questionnaires regarding alcohol use and related behaviors. The responses of 2,555 (61.25% female) students living in different types of residences (substance-free, alcohol-free and u nrestricted) at the 52 campuses at which these housing options existed were compared. Results: Substance-free residences were not substance-free; howe ver, residents drank less heavily and experienced fewer alcohol-related pro blems and secondhand effects than students Living in unrestricted housing. They were less likely (three fifths) to engage in heavy episodic drinking. The difference between students in substance-fret: and unrestricted housing was greatest for students who had not been heavy episodic drinkers in high school and for those on campuses with lower overall levels of heavy episod ic drinking. In contrast, students who lived in alcohol-free halls were no less likely to be heavily involved in alcohol use than were students in unr estricted housing. Conclusions: Residence in substance-free housing was ass ociated with lower likelihood of heavy episodic drinking in college for stu dents who were not heavy episodic drinkers in high school. Whether or not t his is a causal relationship or a result of self-selection needs to be exam ined in a prospective study. These living arrangements are also associated with lower levels of secondhand effects. College administrators may want to consider offering or increasing their substance-free housing options as on e possible method of decreasing heavy student drinking.