‘Higher education’ – substance use among Berlin college students

Abstract

Berlin is internationally known for its intense nightlife associated with high rates of psychoactive substance use. Previous studies conducted in other cities indicated college students as a group at high risk for substance (mis‐)use that was associated with individual psychological and cognitive impairments as well as lower academic performance. The aim of this study was to provide detailed data about the substance use patterns of Berlin college students. In addition, major protective and risk factors were analysed. An online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data and various relevant aspects of both legal and illegal substance use such as consumption pattern and frequency as well as risk‐taking behaviour was developed and distributed among colleges in Berlin. A sample of 9351 participants from 17 different colleges in Berlin completed the questionnaire. The study revealed high lifetime (69.3%), past year (45.9%) and past month (28.3%) prevalence of illicit substance use in the sample. Daily tobacco‐smoking, a mental disorder diagnosis, a positive screening for problematic consumption (Cage‐AID), bisexual orientation and living in open relationship were main factors positively associated with the prevalence and the extent of illicit substance use. Students in Berlin appear to show higher rates of illicit substance use than was previously reported for age‐matched individuals in the general German population and college students in other cities. Thus, they are a relevant target group for early prevention and intervention concerning substance use and abuse.

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic, Academic, Health and Lifestyle Predictors of Illicit Drug/s Use among University Undergraduate Students in Finland

“…We observed that higher level of religiosity was more common among those who reported never IDU (41.8%) compared to regular IDU (31.3%) (data not presented), in agreement with research in Berlin, where college students’ self-reported level of religiosity was significantly higher in non-users of illicit substance/s than in all other user groups and was the lowest in regular-users [ 69 ]. Social and instrumental support offered by faith and places of worship may help people abstain from substance use [ 96 ], and religiosity were among the factors perceived by youth to prevent substance use or help them quit using substances [ 97 ].…”

“…The literature reveals many groupings of the illicit substance/s that are used. For instance, some studies separate marijuana or cannabis use from each other IDU [ 65 , 69 ]. Others refer to a mesh of terms e.g., neuroenhancing substances (could include coffee, energy drinks, nicotine, alcohol) or psycostimulants [ 70 ]; illicit stimulants (amphetamines, Fenethylline, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, Adderall, Vyvanse) [ 71 ]; nonmedical attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication [ 72 ]; illicit substances (including cocaine, designer drugs, and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and opioids) [ 73 ]; illicit drug use, and misuse of prescription stimulants, sedatives, and opioids [ 74 ]; hallucinogen use [ 75 ]; smart drugs (aka cognitive enhancers, prescription drugs taken, either without a prescription or at a dose exceeding that which is prescribed) [ 76 , 77 ]; street drugs vs. prescription drugs [ 78 ]; or nonmedical use of prescription stimulants [ 79 ].…”

“…Similar evidence across seven universities in the United Kingdom suggests that religiosity was a protective factor against high alcohol consumption among students [ 50 ]. Likewise, others reported that religiosity was negatively correlated with the number of substances used in the past month [ 69 ].…”

“…As for lifestyle variables, across our sample, daily smoking was an independent significant predictor of ever IDU (AOR 3.69, P < 0.001). In terms of predictive factors for the presence and extent of illicit substance use, others similarly found that daily and occasional consumption of tobacco was highly associated with illicit substance use prevalence and number of currently consumed substances [ 69 ]. Being a smoker was associated with ever IDU [ 102 ], and our findings are consistent with other research that showed positive associations between tobacco use, and illicit substance use, suggesting that smoking tobacco is a marker for other risky and addictive behaviour [ 10 , 28 , 33 ].…”

Addiction in focus: molecular mechanisms, model systems, circuit maps, risk prediction and the quest for effective interventions

“…These include the difficulty in quantifying recent trends, which are dynamic and ever changing in the field of substance use and addiction. Here, using a newly developed online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data and various relevant aspects of both legal and illegal substance use (such as consumption pattern and frequency), as well as risk-taking behaviour, a study provides detailed data about the substance use patterns, and associated major protective and risk factors, in more than 9000 college students from 17 different colleges in Berlin (Viohl et al, 2019). A similar approach could be used to quantify these factors in other major cities and in other targeted high-risk populations.…”