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By Alan Mozes
NEW YORK, March 12 (Reuters Health) - Although heavy drinking characterizes many fraternities and sororities on American college campuses, such excessive alcohol use tapers off for many students after they leave school, researchers say.
In a survey of 300 students at a midwestern university, scientists found that fraternity and sorority members we more likely to be heavy drinkers throughout their college years, but were no more likely to drink to excess three years after graduating.
The study highlights the role that peer pressure and the "frat-house" image have on creating heavy drinkers--albeit temporary ones--in Greek letter fraternities and sororities, according to Dr. Kenneth J. Sher, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
"Although not conclusive, these findings suggest that the Greek system provides a social environment that facilitates a heavy drinking lifestyle among its members," they write in the March issue of the Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. "Specifically, perceptions of peer norms related to alcohol use appear to be especially important."
The survey showed no evidence that prior heavy drinkers gravitate towards Greek letter fraternity or sorority membership, Sher and colleagues note. (p.19/par.3)
Getting out of the environment where heavy drinking is considered normal, together with taking on responsibilities such as marriage, parenthood and employment seem to result in more moderate drinking levels, the researchers say. (p.18/par.2)
Nevertheless, the findings emphasize the need for better alcohol control programs in universities, Sher said. "There should be clear alcohol policies that are consistently enforced," he told Reuters Health.
"Responsible parties need to work with beverage wholesalers and retailers to discourage underage drinking and excessive consumption, and the campus should develop more targeted interventions to individuals who are just arriving on campus as well as to those students who are already beginning to experience problems," according to the researcher.
SOURCE: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 2001;15.
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