Mafumane Thlapi

High prevalence rates of alcohol use among students in higher education are a public health concern. This is according to a study conducted by Prof Miriam Moagi from the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU).

Prof Moagi reviewed existing evidence to address alcohol abuse among students from a demand-reduction approach. The article is from her PhD study, which was guided by the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) pillars 2013–2017. The three pillars are demand reduction, harm reduction and supply reduction.

In other words, the aim is to find out what factors could help reduce the amount of alcohol students consume.

“We intend to employ interventions that aim to reduce alcohol-related harm, as few demand-reduction strategies exist,” says Prof Moagi.

The demand for alcohol use relies upon intrapersonal factors (the self) and the students’ relationships with the social and physical environment.

Stress and impulsive behaviour can be major triggers for alcohol use.

Impulsivity plays a role in the association between psychological distress and alcohol abuse, she says.

“Interventions targeting impulsivity among students experiencing psychological distress may help to prevent or reduce alcohol use.”

Students at increased risk of alcohol abuse are those with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and emotional dysregulation, according to the study.

“Students using alcohol to cope with cognitive and physiological symptoms of social anxiety and struggling with emotional regulation are more prone to alcohol-related problems.”

She adds that assessing and treating symptoms of social anxiety and providing emotional-regulation training could prevent alcohol use in stressful situations among students.

Any intervention to reduce alcohol use should also take interpersonal factors into account, especially the influence of family and friends. Social norms, social identity and role definition form and operate at this level and can influence lifestyle and healthcare choices.

“Family plays an important role in the formation of young people’s attitudes toward alcohol, and it is suggested that peers may influence each other in a similar way,” concludes Prof Moagi.

Prof Miriam Moagi