Alcohol, Tobacco and Medication Consumption in University Students: Perception of Satisfaction with Life and Well-Being

Background and aims: This study aims to analyse the perception of Portuguese higher education students regarding their general levels of health, well-being, and lifestyles. In this preliminary study, we studied the dimensions of lifestyle associated with tobacco, alcohol, illicit substances, medication consumption, sleeping habits, and overall satisfaction with life.  The literature emphasises the importance of healthy lifestyles in perception and satisfaction with life, while also highlighting the negative impact of addictive substances and unhealthy lifestyles on quality of life and well-being. Methods: The study analysed the perceptions of licit and illicit substance consumption, medication, and sleeping habits among 163 students, including 101 women (n=101 aged 18-25; n=30 over 25) and 32 men (n=19 aged 18-25; n=13 over 25). Results: Concerning smoking habits, the majority of students reported that they do not smoke (78.5%). Regarding alcohol consumption, students reported rarely drinking beer (28.8%) and spirits (45.4%), with the majority reporting never drinking wine (46%). Concerning episodes of drunkenness, 26.4% of young people reported being drunk at least once in the last 30 days, and 1.8% reported being drunk more than 10 times in the last month. Regarding the use of illegal substances, 7.4% of students reported using them at least once in the last month, and 3.1% reported regular use. In terms of medication, 17.2% of students reported taking medication for sleeping difficulties/insomnia, 20.8% for nervousness/anxiety, and 10.4% for sadness/depression in the last month. Regarding sleep, 53.4% of students reported difficulty falling asleep, and 46% reported waking up in the middle of the night. In terms of psychological symptoms, respondents reported feeling tired and exhausted (23.9%), nervous (25.2%), and irritable or in a bad mood (30.1%) more than once a week in the last six months. Despite this, they have positive indicators of their overall satisfaction with life, their daily experiences, and their expectations for the future. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that while most respondents did not show worrying signs of alcohol and tobacco use, medication use and indicators of sleep and psychological symptoms among students warrant attention and concern, highlighting the importance of developing health education and socio-emotional skills development programs appropriate for the Portuguese university population.