Substance Use among International College Students in The Netherlands: An Exploratory Study

Background

College student life is a formative period between adolescence and adulthood and is linked to the use of alcohol and illicit substances. However, such experimentation and increased use of alcohol and other substances by college students is associated with heightened risk of acute health incidents and substance use disorders. International students form a large subgroup of university college students in the Netherlands and appear to run an increased risk of mental health problems and substance issues compared to national students (Sartorius, de Jonge, & Maat, 2020). Because little is known about substance use in this group, we investigated their substance use and perceptions thereof.  

Methods

The largest overarching organization for international students in the Dutch city Groningen is the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). ESN Groningen has a European focus, and supports and facilitates studying in Groningen for a period between 2 and 12 months per cycle of
studies. We placed a promotional text and link in the monthly digital ESN Groningen newsletters of September 2020 and 2021. A total of 515 international students completed the survey consisting of questions concerning prevalence, attitudes, risk perceptions and social norms related to substanced use.

Results

Results showed high prevalence rates of substance use, especially for cannabis and nitrous oxide balloons. Risk perceptions and attitudes mirrored prevalence (the most commonly used substances were perceived as the least harmful) and for each substance. Attitudes toward a particular substance were also indicative of recent use of that substance. Notably, international students highly overestimated the prevalence of cannabis and ecstasy use in the Dutch adult population. This overestimation of use was also an indicator of recent ecstasy use. Regarding substance use and perceptions thereof, we found no clear subgroups among international students.

Conclusions

As international students also appeared more reluctant to speak about substance use with (university) professionals than
with friends and fellow students, these findings underline a unique opportunity for social networks of students to provide tailor made information about substance use, including associated norms, especially to new international students in order. International student organizations can play an important role in providing a starting point for primary prevention, especially because these organizations usually organize introduction weeks for international students at the beginning of each semester and are run by other students. For instance, in line with the social norms theory, much can be gained by correcting the huge overestimation of substance use and its acceptance in Dutch society.