Drinking levels, related problems and readiness to change in a college sample

Drinking levels, related problems, and readiness to change alcohol use were assessed among college students (N = 179) referred to a university-based, early-intervention program. As expected, alcohol use and related problems within this sample exceeded university-wide norms, but problems were concentrated within a small sub-group who drank well above customarily defined "binge" levels. Furthermore, some individuals experienced significant problems drinking below binge levels. In general, participants showed limited acknowledgment of a drinking problem or interest in changing their behavior. Findings suggest that prevention and early intervention efforts should be based on college students' diverse drinking patterns and risk profiles, and support the argument against the dichotomous binge-drinking characterization of the problem.