UNM Student Lifestyle Survey

classroom


The Student Lifestyle Survey is conducted annually by the COSAP program. UNM students are surveyed to determine social trends, common behaviors, and attitudes towards alcohol and other drugs. The following information is a summation of recent findings from this survey.

From 2015-2020 UNM COSAP proudly participated with a coalition of other New Mexico colleges and universities in a coordinated effort to reduce risky drinking and substance misuse and their related negative consequences among college students. The project, funded by the New Mexico Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP), proved to be beneficial to our participating colleges. We strive to continue implementing the strategies that were developed for our campus. If you're interesting in reading the final report, please click the PDF.

UNM NM Statewide Report 2020


Alcohol Use

  • 1.3 is the average number of drinks consumed per week for all students. However, students think typical students on their campus consume an average of 4.5 drinks each week.
  • A little over one-third, 30.6% of all students 42% of Lobos reported drinking NO alcohol in the past 30 days.
  • 58% of all students reported having had alcohol on one or more days in the past 30 days.

 

Binge Drinking

  • 76% of all students reported not having five or more drinks in a sitting on one or more occasions over the past two weeks.

 

Alcohol and Academic Consequences

  • 84% did not perform poorly on a test or important project due to alcohol.
  • 81% did not miss a class because of alcohol.
  • 97% of students have NOT been in trouble with police,RA, or other college authority due to alcohol

 

Student Protective Behaviors Associated with Drinking Alcohol

  • 60% of students stop drinking 1-2 hours before going home.
  • 61% alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
  • 83% have a designated driver.
  • 72% keep track of the number of drinks they have.
  • 77% eat before and during the time they're drinking.
  • 45% hang out with people who drink less or more slowly.
  • 81% refuse to ride with a driver who has been drinking.
  • 80% watch a friend's drink while he/she is gone.
  • 57% decide ahead not to exceed a set number of drinks.
  • 36%  avoid drinking games.
  • 42% limit the number of drinks per hour.

 

Use of Designated Drivers

  • 50% reported having served as a sober designated driver on one or more times in the past 12 months.

Drinking and Driving

  • 81% of students have not driven under the influence in the past 12 months.
  • 70% think that a DUI/DWI conviction would impact their career opportunities a great deal.

 

Riding with Drivers Under the Influence of Alcohol

  • 81% reported not riding in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.

Perception of Risk of Drinking and Driving

  • 65% of students reported they were somewhat likely to very likely to be arrested for DWI if they were driving after having had too much to drink.

 

Social Norms About Drinking and Driving

  • 92% of students reported they thought their closest friends would disapprove or strongly disapprove if they drove a car while under the influence of alcohol.

 

Tobacco and Other Drug Use

  • 77% of students reported not using tobacco in the last 30 days.
  • 71% of students reported not using marijuana in the last 30 days.
  • 98% of students reported not using prescription drugs not prescribed to them in the last 30 days.