The Office of Health Promotion is committed to preventing the negative consequences associated with alcohol use among Carleton students. We take a public health approach to preventing underage alcohol use, with a specific focus on reducing the levels of reported high-risk drinking. 

Why is Preventing Alcohol Abuse Important?

  • Negative consequences associate with binge-drinking are detrimental to both short term and long term health. (See research-based information on drinking and its impact from the National Institutes of Health.)
  • Students who binge-drink at least once a week tend to have a lower GPA than those who do not binge-drink, even after controlling for precollege student characteristics, college major, co-curricular involvement, and unobserved institutional characteristics (An, Loes, & Trolian, 2017).

Data

Fewer Carleton students engage in high-risk drinking than typically perceived by other students.

  • Fewer than 1/3 of Carls report binge drinking in the last two weeks (31.0%, 2018).

Students feel that drinking (and high-risk drinking) is less acceptable than what is perceived to be acceptable by others. 

  • 98% of Carls find it “Acceptable” or “Somewhat Acceptable” to show up to a party and choose not to drink alcohol.
  • 82% of Carls find it “Unacceptable” or “Somewhat Unacceptable”  to drink the night before an important obligation.
  • 99% of Carls find it “Acceptable” or “Somewhat Acceptable” to intervene to help a person who has had too much to drink.
  • 83% of Carls find it “Unacceptable” or “Somewhat Unacceptable” to encourage another person to drink.
  • 82% of Carls find it “Unacceptable” or “Somewhat Unacceptable” to use alcohol (or being drunk) as an excuse for making a mistake.

Services

  • Alcohol & Other Drug Coaching: Explore what role alcohol plays in your life in a non-judgmental setting in a one-on-one, no cost, private meeting with one of our professional staff.
  • CUES: Understand the norms of alcohol use within your team, floor, or group.
  • AlcoholEdu: Online alcohol education and harm reduction strategies.
  • Recovery Resources: Anyone could find themselves dealing with an alcohol use disorder or an addiction. We can help.