Balancing University Social Life Without Falling Into the Trap of Substance Misuse

Freshers: its literal meaning being the first week of university, its connotations being alcohol galore. Student life has long represented house parties, clubbing, and just too much alcohol in general, but what happens when you want to have a fun social life without falling into the trap of substance misuse?

Heavy drinking is normalised among students, with daily drinking and binge drinking seen as a milestone for freshers. This doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous.

The good news is it’s possible to make the most of student life, with the drinking that comes with it, whilst avoiding substance misuse. All it takes is some forward thinking, and that’s exactly what we’re going to help you with today.

The Pressure to Drink at University

The culture of constant nights out infiltrates Freshers’ weeks all over the country, with those who opt out often feeling unusual for their preferences.

Even naturally cautious students can easily push their own boundaries for fear of being judged, by going out more than they want to, drinking more than they usually would, or experimenting with drugs.

According to one study, 15% of university students drink hazardously, and 28% engage in binge drinking.

Let’s clear one thing up: being swayed by peer pressure is completely natural. At any age, we are prone to changing our behaviour to suit the norms around us, and when your environment is university, this is bound to lead to lots of drinking.

However, it doesn’t have to. Enjoying university completely sober, or while drinking in moderation, is a respectable move that doesn’t represent a sabotaged social life. You can still have the time of your life without taking things too far.

Why Students are Vulnerable to Substance Misuse

1. Normalisation

The association of students and alcohol is so strong that society has come to accept it as normal. As a result, when Freshers first arrive at university, many feel pressured to immediately become heavy drinkers, even if they have never acted in this way before.

2. Freedom

Freshers’ week is the first time that most students are far away from their family, with no supervision preventing them from drinking too much. Even those who have been drinking lots before Freshers’ may find the added freedom of living away from home means they can afford to take risks they wouldn’t usually take.

3. Stress

Moving away from home is a stressful transition, especially when it comes with academic pressure and new friends. Drinking is an escape for many students, especially if they are struggling with homesickness.

4. Social anxiety

Alcohol is a common social lubricant, and some students find themselves drinking to excess as they enjoy the version of themselves that is perhaps more confident, outgoing, and social.

5. Mental health

Students with mental health conditions, such as depression, OCD or bipolar disorder, may use alcohol as as coping mechanism to deal with their symptoms or even to feel more “normal”.

Is it Only Freshers Who are Vulnerable?

University freshers have a strong reputation for excessive drinking, which is backed up by studies. One study found that students consumed significantly more units of alcohol per week in the first year of their degree compared to the second and third year.

Yet, it is certainly not only Freshers who are vulnerable to substance misuse. University in general provides endless opportunities for drinking, which causes many students to drink more than they’d like to, and others to successfully mask their alcohol problems.

For those who have developed alcohol issues in their first year, this is rarely something that reduces in second and third year without sufficient support.

Let’s Redefine What a Student’s Social Life Should Look Like

We’re not here to prescribe a specific type of social life that suits everyone. However, you can have a vibrant social life that does not have alcohol at the centre, so let’s get redefining.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to drink at all during university, there are plenty of alternative things to do that still allow you to be social.

Even if you do like a few drinks, but you want to avoid substance misuse, consider getting involved with non-drinking activities on the evenings and weekends, such as:

  • Walks and hikes

  • Sports

  • Film nights

  • Going out to eat

  • Exploring your city

  • Crafting

Sometimes, it’s easy to avoid substance misuse when doing those activities, but it becomes a real challenge when you’re in certain environments, such as the pub.

It’s crucial to reflect on this before you’re in the situation, to prepare yourself and ensure you’re confident enough to set boundaries.

Some tips are:

  • Decide how much you want to drink beforehand (e.g., set a limit of three drinks)

  • Tell someone you’re close to that you aren’t interested in drinking heavily

  • Only go out with friends who respect your boundaries on drinking

  • Have an accountability buddy

How to Spot the Warning Signs

Denial is a key symptom of alcohol addiction, so it’s important to be aware of other warning signs in order to spot a growing problem before it evolves into an addiction.

Signs include:

  • Craving alcohol

  • Needing to drink more to feel the same effect

  • Feeling as though alcohol is the most important thing in life

  • Having withdrawal symptoms

  • Being secretive about your drinking

  • Being unable to get on with daily life without alcohol (e.g., studying, exercising or working)

  • Not being able to plan how much you are going to drink on an occasion

  • Drinking despite negative effects on your life

  • Experiencing negative effects on your physical or mental health

  • Struggling to stop drinking when you want to

Getting Help for Substance Misuse at University

We’ve discussed the stereotype of students drinking heavily, and this stereotype is often what causes students to hide their drinking problems. They worry that their problem will be dismissed as normal student behaviour, rather than a serious issue that they need support with.

Firstly, if you need help for substance misuse as a student, please know you are not alone. Recognising you need help is the first step, which is a small win you can already celebrate. Whilst taking action can feel like the scariest part of the process, it’s a decision that many students look back on with immense pride further into their recovery journey.

There are many forms of support offered for students who are struggling with alcohol, from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups to residential rehab facilities providing an alcohol detox (or an alcohol detox at home) and a tailored therapy and relapse prevention program, as well as aftercare.

Student support services are often well-informed on the support that is out there for students, so accessing help via your university is a sensible approach to take.

Conclusion

With the right amount of planning, boundaries, and awareness, you can have the student social life you’ve always dreamed of without battling substance misuse.

Whether it’s avoiding events with heavy drinking or simply making small adjustments to ensure your drinking doesn’t spiral out of control, there are always options for you to prioritise your wellbeing whilst enjoying yourself as a student.

For those that have fallen into the trap of substance misuse, there’s hope for you. Plenty of support is available via university services, including counselling, therapy, and referrals to addiction recovery groups.

References

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673696034101/abstract

[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2458-8-163