Approximately four out of five college students drink
alcohol, with nearly 40% of men and women reporting
“binge drinking” at least 4–5 drinks in a row within the last
14 days. 36,37 Alcohol shortens sleep latency, but then promotes
fragmented sleep in the latter half of the night. 23 One study
found that 11.6% of students who drank used alcohol as a
sleep aid . 7,38 Alcohol may also increase the risk for obstructive
sleep apnea. 39