University, alcohol and mental health

This blog explores current trends in student drinking and the impact that alcohol can have on our mental health, particularly for university students. The content mentions substance abuse or addiction (which may include mentions of alcohol or drug use), suicide or suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression and anxiety. Please read with care. There are details of where to find help at the bottom of this page. 

Many students at university choose to drink alcohol, this can be for several reasons: to socialise, celebrate or just because it is often the expected thing for students to do. However, increasingly more students are choosing to not drink or to drink less, perhaps because of the cost of alcohol, healthier lifestyle choices, personal reasons or something else entirely. 

Research from the SOS Drug and Alcohol Impact Survey shows that: 

Cost of living

Many students are facing financial difficulties due to the cost of living; many are finding it necessary to make cutbacks to manage their finances. The NatWest Student Living Index reveals that students are prioritising essential spending, with half reducing spending on nights out. Almost a quarter (24%) say that they don’t go to nightclubs with and one in five (20%) avoid going to the pub.  

Perception vs reality

While 76% of students agree that drinking and getting drunk is part of university culture, an increasing number of students are choosing to drink less or not to drink, as of 2025 over a quarter of students do not drink which has almost doubled since 2017. 

78% of students also have said that they do not need to be drunk to have a good night out and 75% said that excessive drinking can make people hard to socialise with or cut a night out short. There is a clearer understanding by students of the impact that drinking can have as well as an increasing number of drink-free social events which is resulting in many students drinking less frequently (20% once a week and 29% less than once a week) or not at all. 

How can alcohol impact our mental health?

Whether or not you decide to drink at university, it is important to be well informed about the effects of alcohol on your mental health.  

Alcohol is a depressant which means it is a substance that reduces arousal and stimulation. These affect the central nervous system, slowing down the messages between the brain and body and this can have a direct effect on how you think, feel and behave. 

When you drink you may feel more relaxed, confident and less anxious. But these effects quickly wear off. The chemical changes in your brain can soon lead to more negative feelings, such as anger, depression or anxiety, regardless of your mood. 

Alcohol and ill mental health (particularly depression and anxiety) are closely linked and those who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems, the reduced inhibitions that can result from drinking can also lead to other issues such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

For more general information on how alcohol affects our mental health check out our A-Z on alcohol.  

The student picture

Of the students at university who do drink: 

• 44% reported that they missed a university seminar, lecture or class during or following the consumption of alcohol 

• 13% of respondents identified that drinking alcohol (during or following) had made an existing mental condition worse 

• 46% reported being unable to remember what happened the night before 

• 30% experienced unwanted sexual attention 

• 27% took risks with their personal safety they otherwise would not have 

• 27% Injured themselves 

It’s clear that drinking can have an impact on both mental health and university experience. The effects of drinking and the impact of alcohol will differ depending on the person, but it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with drinking especially as it may impact your time and enjoyment of university. 

You don’t have to drink to have a good time

University can be an incredibly rewarding and memorable time in your life.  Whether you choose to drink at university or not is entirely up to you, but it is important to make sure if you do decide to drink, that you are doing so in an informed and safe manner. Drinkaware has some great tools for informed drinking and understating risk.

• UK low risk drinking guidelines 

• Drinking Check tool 

Remember: you don’t need to drink to have a good time at university. Many students have fulfilling and enjoyable university experiences without having a drop of alcohol and many who do decide to drink do so responsibly and have drink-free days to ensure that experience remains enjoyable.