Fraternity and Sorority Members

While fraternities and sororities were founded on traditions of public service and camaraderie, campus Greek letter organizations may be more well-known for partying, excessive drinking, and hazing. These perceptions are not unjustified. Fraternities and sororities are among the key groups that foster the culture of drinking on campus. Preventing high-risk and heavy drinking within these organizations requires specialized prevention efforts.

Alcohol Abuse and Its Consequences in Fraternities and Sororities

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA) 2002 report, A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges, members of fraternities and sororities drink more often and in far greater quantities than other college students. The Harvard School of Public Health’s College Alcohol Study (CAS) found that:

  • 75 percent of fraternity members engaged in heavy drinking versus 49 percent of their non-fraternity peers
  • 62 percent of sorority members engaged in heavy drinking, compared with 41 percent of other female students

CAS also showed that the largest on-campus venue for drinking is the fraternity or sorority house:

  • 75 percent of students living in such houses were heavy drinkers, compared with 45 percent of students living in non-fraternity residence halls and 35 percent of the overall student population
  • 32 percent of students who drink had attended a party at a fraternity or sorority
  • 13 percent of these attendees consumed at least five drinks in one sitting

Because they drink more than other students, fraternity and sorority members, in turn, suffer more alcohol-related consequences than their peers, including poor academic performance, fights, vandalism, injuries, and sexual assault, than the general college population. The Core Institute reported:

  • 50 percent of students living in a fraternity or sorority house performed poorly on a test or project, versus about 25 percent of all students
  • 70 percent missed a class, as opposed to about 33 percent of all students
  • 59 percent had an argument or fight, compared with 35 percent of all students

Moreover, those living in fraternity and sorority housing experience a disproportionate number of secondary effects of others’ drinking.

Many question why fraternity and sorority members engage in so much heavy drinking. Research shows a two-fold problem: The social environment of fraternities and sororities fosters alcohol abuse, and students who are already heavy drinkers are more likely to join these groups.

Other Drug Abuse in Fraternities and Sororities

While fewer hard data exist on prevalence, research shows that members of Greek-letter organizations abuse other drugs, most notably prescription stimulants and marijuana, more frequently than their nonmember peers do.

A 2004 article, “Non-medical Use of Prescription Stimulants among US College Students: Prevalence and Correlates from a National Survey,” in the journal Addiction found that Greek members abuse prescription stimulants more than other students do. Monitoring the Future data show that membership in a Greek-letter organization increases the likelihood of marijuana use. The data also show that many of these students have histories of drug abuse predating college, implying that, like alcohol abuse, drug use in fraternities and sororities is related to both socialization and self-selection.

Effective Prevention

An environmental management approach to AODV prevention on campus can include specific strategies to combat the high rates of drinking in Greek-letter organizations. First and foremost, getting leaders of these organizations on board with prevention efforts can make inroads in ensuring cooperation and acceptance among members. Many Greek organizations are re-emphasizing the positive contributions fraternities and sororities make to campuses and their surrounding communities, such as sponsoring social events and volunteer opportunities, to change the focus of fraternities and sororities from partying to kinship and social service. Other specific strategies include: sponsoring substance-free activities among members and for the campus at large, including community service activities, leadership workshops, retreats, and social events; restricting marketing and promotion of alcohol by banning alcohol industry sponsorship of fraternity and sorority events; and assessing members and pledges for drinking problems, and offering alcohol workshops, counseling, and treatment.

For More Information

To learn more about AOD in fraternity and sorority life, please read the Center’s publication Fraternity and Sorority Members and Alcohol and Other Drug Use.