Field Research
The University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology
Field ResearchThe Consumption of Alcohol among College Students
in Belgrade
Subject: Integrated SkillsName: Aleksandra krba
Professor: Ana ValisavljeviBelgrade, 2012
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to determine how frequently students
consumed alcohol, which alcoholic drink they most frequently
consumed, whether they were aware of the consequences which could
follow after the consumption of alcohol, the reasons for consuming
alcohol and the average age at which they first started drinking
it. This paper investigated whether students overindulged in
alcohol and what their reasons were for doing so. Culturally, the
consumption of alcohol is ever present and through the findings in
this research students confirmed the fact that it is socially
acceptable as well. The rates of the consumption of alcohol in
Serbia are not taken extremely seriously, so emphasis was also put
on the difficulty to make many changes in the habits and views of
people. The results show that the majority of the students first
tried alcohol in their adolescence and continued doing so, mostly
in an attempt to relax and because they enjoyed consuming
alcohol.
Key words: alcohol, habits, relaxation, change
Apstrakt Cilj ovog rada je da se odredi koliko esto studenti
konzumiraju alkohol, koje alkoholno pie najee konzumiraju, da li su
svesni posledica koje bi mogle da uslede nakon konzumiranja
alkohola, razloge zato se alkohol konzumira i u proseku sa koliko
godina su krenuli sa konzumacijom alkohola. Ovaj rad istrauje da li
studenti konzumiraju alkohol u prekomernim koliinama i njihove
razloge, ako to ine. Iz kulturnog aspekta, konzimiranje alkohola je
stalno prisutno i kroz rezultate ovog istraivanja studenti su
potvrdili injenicu da je je konzumacija alkohola drutveno
prihvatljiva. Podaci o konzumiranju alkohola u Srbiji nisu
zabrinjavajui iz perspektive ljudi sa ovih prostora, pa je skrenuta
panja na injenicu koliko je teko promeniti navike i perspektive
ljudi. Rezultati pokazuju da je veina studenata prvi put probala
alkohol u adolescenciji i da su nastavili da ga konzumiraju, najee
u nameri da se opuste i zato to uzivaju u konzumaciji
alkohola.Kljune reci: alkohol, navike, oputanje, promenaTable of
ContentsAbstract2
Introduction5
Aim of Research6
Methodology6
Research Findings7
Hypotheses7-9
Conclusion10
References111. INTRODUCTION
Alcohol is nearly unique among potent drugs in that moderate,
self-induced levels of intoxication are socially
acceptable(Websters International Encyclopedia, D.S. MAX, 1996,
Ontario, Canada, p. 32). According to the World Health Organization
(WHO) around 2 billion people worldwide consumes alcohol and 76.3
million people have been diagnosed with alcohol addiction
(alcoholism). Drinking alcoholic beverages, in many parts of the
world, is a common feature of social gatherings. The consumption of
alcohol, nevertheless, carries a risk of adverse health and social
consequences related to its intoxicating, toxic and
dependence-producing properties.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that acts on the central nervous system
to reduce anxiety and inhibition(Websters International
Encyclopedia, D.S. MAX, 1996, Ontario, Canada, p. 32). It is an
addictive and potent substance that impairs physical coordination,
judgment, perception, and, in sufficiently high dosages, can cause
unconsciousness or death.
Alcohol abuse
Alcoholism is a chronic illness, which is characterized by
compulsive drinking of alcohol, leading to physical and
psychological addiction. Alcohol abuse can be the cause of crime,
delinquency, and accidents, as well as physical suffering and loss
of life.
Alcohol consumption and problems related to alcohol vary widely
around the world, but its still the overwhelming cause of disease
and death in most countries. According to the WHO alcohol
consumption is the worlds third largest risk factor for disease and
disability; in middle-income countries, it is the greatest risk.
Alcohol is a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries and
a component cause in 200 others. Almost 4% of all deaths worldwide
are attributed to alcohol, greater than deaths caused by HIV/AIDS,
violence or tuberculosis.
Rates of drinking among college students and other young adults
are also high. College students are often experiencing many aspects
of adult lifesuch as moving away from the family home for the first
time, living with other students, and experiencing reduced adult
supervisionthat may increase the risk of alcohol use and abuse.
College students also frequently reside in different physical and
social environments (e.g. college parties and concerts) that may
foster heavy alcohol use.
2. AIM OF THE RESEARCH
The aim of this research was to establish the drinking habits of
young adults in Serbia, as well as to determine the age at which
people started drinking alcohol and there reasons for consuming it.
The study was designed to test the hypothesis that young adults
have consumed alcohol from an early age and to test their overall
awareness of the negative effects that alcohol can have on a
person, both physically and emotionally. It is assumed that
children can come in contact with alcohol early in life and that it
is easy to get a hold of it, since, until recently, there werent
any strict regulations in Serbia towards buying alcohol.
3. METHODOLOGY
The research was conducted in August 2012 on a sample of 20
students from the ages of 19 to 30. The methods employed in the
study are observation and the closed type questionnaire, which was
distributed to twenty college students in the Belgrade area. The
return rate was high at hundred percent due to the fact that all
the questionnaires were distributed personally and vie e-mail and
collected and that all the twenty people who completed them were
open to cooperation and interested in the topic of the research.
With the assumption that all the answers are honest, the
questionnaire can be seen as a reliable source of information.
The observation method was primarily used to assess the levels
of alcohol students drink when they go to college parties verses
the amount of alcohol they drink in smaller gatherings. Over a
period of two weeks the students attitudes toward alcohol were
monitored over a period of time, from a point at which they were in
a relaxed environment to the point where the exam period started.
The results indicate that students drank more at the college
parties, since the atmosphere allowed them to relax more than they
would have at small gatherings. Also the amount of the alcohol
consumed lowered as the exam period approached.
4. RESEARCH FINDINGS The respondents of this research were asked
to circle one of the given options in each question in the
questionnaire. They were asked which type of alcohol they consume
usually, how often they consume it, where did they try it for the
first time, whether they are aware of the negative consequences of
the excessive use of alcohol, if they have ever experienced memory
loss due to the consumption of alcohol, if they have ever consumed
it during class, if they usually have trouble to stop drinking, why
they consume it, how much money they spend on alcohol, when they
last consumed it, as well as when they first consumed it and how
much they drink when they go out.
Sample
The research includes the answers provided by 20 students
studying in Belgrade. Both male and female students are included,
thus seven males and thirteen females completed the questionnaire.
The subjects are 19-30 years old.
HYPOTHESES
1. Teenagers in Serbia begin consuming alcohol at an early age,
despite the legal restrictions.
No matter the effort that is made, it has been difficult to
restrict children from managing to obtain alcoholic beverages.
Underage drinking presents an enormous public health issue. Alcohol
is the drug of choice among children and adolescents, and underage
drinking is the number one addiction among the nation's youth.
Parents or caregivers play a vital role in influencing their
child's attitudes and behaviors. They serve as a role model on the
use of alcohol, control the availability of alcohol in their home,
and help set their child's expectations concerning drinking
behaviours.
Some parents believe that it is safer for their teens to drink
at home than to drink anywhere else. Other adults, including some
parents, mistakenly think that underage drinking is part of growing
up. It has always been difficult to set a standard in Serbia,
because many people do not take the consumption of alcohol
seriously. When their children consume alcohol for the first time,
many parents see it as their child crossing a threshold into
adulthood. Some parents even jokingly give alcohol to little
children, seeing it as something amusing, rather than alarming.
2. Children most often try alcohol for the first time at
home.
This study reveals that more than half of the respondents tried
alcohol for the first time at a family gathering. The consumption
of alcohol among teenagers is not considered to be alarming, unless
it becomes a serious problem. In some families parents drink with
their children, it is a way for them to bond and give their
children some freedom. Unfortunately, they never consider the
problems that occur by allowing such behaviour. Children learn that
it is normal to drink at an early age and they are unaware of the
certain restrictions and regulations that should be followed. This
can also lead to their believing that they can drink as much as
they want, any time they want, which can therefore lead to
alcoholism or health problems.
Now the answers to some of the crucial questions will be
analyzed separately.
The first question that was asked was: Which type of alcohol do
you usually consume? The subjects in this research mostly consume
beer (27.2%), followed by wine (18.1%). The more interesting
discovery was that 13.6% answered with I dont consume alcohol,
which was more the 5% of the subjects that chose gin. This shows
that although most students in Serbia have tried alcohol and
continue drinking it, there is still a fair amount of students who
abstain from consuming it.
The following question was: How often do you consume alcohol?
This question was answered mostly with several times a year (37%),
followed by at least once a month (31.5%). The least chosen answer
was everyday with 5%. The two most chosen answers are extremely
close in percentages, and both are moderate enough, which leads to
the fact that students dont consume alcohol to the extent that
would be alarming.
The next question asked was: Where did you try alcohol for the
first time? The influence of the family proved to be a determining
factor in the childrens decision to start consuming alcohol. With
this question, an overwhelming 57.8% answered with at family
gatherings. This is an alarming fact, given that it follows that
family members are those that most often encourage children to try
alcohol. Following these percentages was the answer at a party
(26.3%) and at an excursion or vacation (15.7%).
The following question was: Have you ever experienced memory
loss due to consumption of alcohol?
This question was answered the most with No (57.8%), but it was
closely followed by 1-2 times (42.1%). This shows that although the
majority had never overindulged in alcohol to that extent that it
would garner negative consequences, many had experienced some of
the negativities of alcohol consumption.
The next question was: Why do you consume alcohol?
Most respondents answered this question with in order to relax
(42.1%), followed by because I enjoy it (26.3%). An equal number of
respondents chose because all my friends drink and I dont consume
alcohol (15.7%). It would seem that most students consume alcohol
not because of peer pressure, or to boost their confidence, but
because they enjoy it and it is a way of helping them let off
steam.
The question after that was: When was the first time you tried
an alcoholic drink?
Most respondents answered this question with as an adolescent
(68.4%), yet it is alarming that even 15.7% chose the answer as a
child. It seems that some parents or family members encourage
alcohol consumption, even jokingly, at a young age.
The last question was: How many drinks do you usually drink when
you go out?
Due to the fact that many students go out to relax and forget
about the stress of exams, it is not surprising that they consume
alcohol, since it helps them enjoy the atmosphere more. The
majority chose one (31.8%), followed 2-3 (31.5%), more than 3
(10.5%), with 21% choosing I dont drink when I go out. This shows
that 73.8% of all the respondents drink at least one beverage when
they go out.
5. CONCLUSION
The results of this research show the current situation when it
comes to the subject of alcohol consumption of young people in
Serbia. It is clear that it is suggested that children start
drinking from an early age, and that the family has a great impact
on the way children view alcohol consumption. For generations the
situation has been the same, and these are just some of the
problems that are hard to change. Furthermore, the results indicate
that young people consume alcohol mostly because it is difficult
for them to relax and they enjoy the feeling it gives them. This
might also stem from the fact that they had been introduced to
alcohol from an early age, and find it as a form of necessity when
trying to unwind.
Finally, it is important to note that the results should take
into account the selected group of students which were questioned.
The research was conducted on the respondents who belong to the
category of population which is often under a lot of stress, many
of which come from different cities and don't live with their
families. Therefore many of the students have a large amount of
freedom which is given to them unexpectedly. They are surrounded by
young people, they live in a city with many nightclubs and there
aren't any adults to control them.
Taking this into consideration, the results of the consumption
of alcohol of our respondents prove to be particularly significant.
Various measures could be taken to reduce the amount of alcohol
young people consume, e.g. the consequences of alcohol consumption
should be more thoroughly explained to children in schools,
regulations should be more strict and the distribution of alcohol
to teenegers should be more controlled and the prices of alcoholic
beverages should be increased.
REFERENCES
1.The New Webster's International Encyclopedia, D.S. MAX, 1996,
Ontario, Canada
2.The World Health Organization http://www.who.int/en/
3.Alkohol, zamalo medicinski prirucnik, Simon Borovjak, Laguna,
2011
4.Medicinski leksikon, Radomir Jeinac, Izdavaka RO 'Vuk Karadi',
Beograd, 1983
5.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol
6.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism
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