Authors
Christina E. Parisi – University of Maryland
Brittany A. Bugbee – University of Maryland
Kathryn B. Vincent – University of Maryland
Andrea M. Soong – University of Maryland
Amelia M. Arria – University of Maryland
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe alcohol and marijuana use patterns and related
consequences among student athletes. A total of 12,510 students (n=1,233 athletes) completed
four cross-sectional online annual surveys as part of a multi-site campus initiative. Chi-square
tests of independence, t-tests, and regression models evaluated differences in alcohol and
marijuana use between athletes and non-athletes. The prevalence of binge drinking and high
intensity drinking was significantly higher among student athletes than non-athletes, even after
controlling for demographic characteristics. Thirteen percent of student athletes experienced an
alcohol-related injury during the past year; this was more common among binge drinkers than
non-binge drinkers (20.5% and 2.6%, respectively). Among student athletes, past-month binge
drinking and past-year marijuana use were significantly associated with lowered GPA (ps<.01).
Skipping class was twice as prevalent among student athletes who used marijuana as compared
with athletes who did not use marijuana, but no differences were found related to binge drinking.
Components for a training for athletic personnel to reduce risks for alcohol-related injury and
academic consequences that are associated with alcohol and marijuana use among student
athletes are described. Involving athletic personnel might be an important strategy to identify
and intervene with high-risk student athletes.
