The ACHA-NCHA Spring 2014 data reveals just how prevalent misperceptions about substance use are among college students. With a sample of 79,266 students from 14o schools, the ACHA-NCHA provides a glimpse into the perceptions and reality for college students in the USA.
The long established wording for asking questions about perception has been to use the phrase “typical student” to signify “most students.”
Accurate Perceptions and Misperceptions about Alcohol
- 67% reported that they had used alcohol on at least one day in the last 30 days; 94% thought that the “typical” student at their school had used alcohol on at least one day in the last 30. So that perception can be considered accurate: most students do report having used alcohol in the last 30 days and the perception of most students is that the typical student has used alcohol in the last 30 days.
- To identify misperceptions about alcohol use, it is necessary to look in more detail at perceived versus actual frequency of use (how many days in the last 30) and quantity (how many drinks).
Misperceptions about Cigarettes and Marijuana
Those finer distinctions, about frequency and quantity of use, are not necessary to identify the prevalent misperceptions related to cigarettes and marijuana.
- 21% of respondents to the ACHA-NCHA reported that they had used marijuana in the last 30 days, BUT 81% of respondents thought that the “typical” student at their school had used marijuana in the last 30 days.
- Only 15% of respondents reported that they had smoked a cigarette in the last 30 days, BUT 73% of respondents thought that the “typical” student at their school had smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days.
