How Alcohol Use Affects Mental Health in College Students
College students and young adults face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use, which can contribute to risky behaviors like academic struggles, unsafe sex, overdose, and suicidality. Addressing these challenges through therapy offers effective support. Approaches such as art therapy, activity-based therapy, and somatic therapy help individuals process emotions, build coping skills, and improve overall mental, physical, and social well-being.
Why College Students Are at Risk for Mental Health Challenges
College and young adulthood are periods of significant change, growth, and challenge. Alongside academic and social pressures, many students face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use, which can ripple into their relationships, health, and decision-making. Understanding these connections, and exploring supportive strategies like therapy, can help students navigate these years with greater resilience, healthier habits, and stronger emotional well-being.
How Alcohol Use Impacts Mental Health
Alcohol use can have a strong impact on the mental health of college students and young adults, especially during a time when stress, identity, and social pressures are already high. While drinking may feel like a way to cope or connect, it can often worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm. Understanding how alcohol affects both your mood and your environment can help you make more intentional choices and recognize when support might be needed.
Alcohol Consumption and Depression
Research consistently shows a strong comorbid relationship between alcohol use and depression. One study found that 17% of adults with alcohol use also had a diagnosable mental disorder, while 16% of adults with a mental health condition experienced a co-occurring alcohol use disorder (Ferris, 2011).
How Being Around Alcohol Use Affects Mental Health
Another well-documented link between alcohol use and mental health is the influence of others’ drinking. Even a single individual struggling with alcohol use can significantly impact the mental health of those in their social circle, including family, friends, and other close relationships (Ferris, 2011).
College Students, Depression, and Alcohol Use
College is associated with higher rates of reported mental health concerns, with approximately 39% of students experiencing some level of depression and 27% reporting anxiety. As these challenges increase, so does the risk of alcohol use. One study found that one in five college students meets criteria for alcohol use disorder. Additionally, about 30% of women and 40% of men report consuming five or more drinks within a two-week period (Kenney et al., 2018)
The intersection of mental health challenges and alcohol use in college populations can also contribute to an increase risky behaviors, including:
Academic problems
Unsafe sex
Overdose
Suicidality
Addressing Depression, Anxiety, and Drinking Through Therapy
When it comes to addressing mental health challenges and the impact of alcohol use, therapy can take many forms beyond traditional talk sessions. For college students and young adults navigating depression, anxiety, or risky behaviors, creative and alternative approaches can be effective.
Below are examples of these approaches and how they can help:
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy helps teens and college students process past trauma and distressing experiences that may be fueling substance use and addiction. By reprocessing these memories, EMDR can reduce emotional triggers, improve coping, and support long-term recovery.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy focuses on how trauma and stress are held in the body, helping teens and college students learn to regulate their nervous system without relying on substances. This approach can reduce anxiety, increase body awareness, and build healthier coping skills.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy that helps identify and release stored emotional pain linked to substance use and addiction. It can help young adults process underlying stress and trauma, leading to improved emotional regulation and reduced urges to use substances.
Art Therapy
Art therapy offers a creative way for teens and college students to express emotions they may not have words for, especially when struggling with substance use. It can support emotional processing, self-awareness, and healing in a safe and engaging way.
Supporting College Students Through Therapy and Recovery
If you’re a college student or young adult struggling with alcohol use, or someone who cares about them, know that you don’t have to navigate this alone. It can feel overwhelming to know where to start, but support is available. Reaching out to a mental health professional can offer a safe space to understand what’s going on, learn what it might look like to begin therapy, and build healthier ways of coping. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or looking for ways to support someone you love, taking that first step can make a meaningful difference.
