Loneliness during college is associated with a range of negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. Although research exploring the associations between loneliness and substance use among college students has been limited, recent studies have reported that students with higher levels of loneliness have increased risk for substance-related problems. However, some studies have found contradictory results, with some substance use linked to lower loneliness. Within college campuses, students affiliated with social fraternities or sororities (i.e., those with Greek status) represent a particularly relevant subpopulation. Greek-affiliated students consistently report higher rates of substance use than their non-Greek peers, and these organizations foster social environments where substance use is normalized and even expected. Interestingly, despite reporting greater social connectedness and a stronger sense of purpose, Greek-affiliated students do not necessarily report lower levels of loneliness, suggesting that these environments may complicate the loneliness-substance use relationship. Therefore, given these mixed findings and the elevated risks observed among Greek-affiliated students, the present study aims to examine the associations between loneliness, alcohol use, and cannabis use in this population.
The study surveyed 3,248 undergraduate students from six universities across Colorado, Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. The survey assessed alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, cannabis use and its related consequences, loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and demographic information. Bivariate linear and logistic regressions were employed to examine relationships between substance use outcomes and loneliness, with stratified regression conducted to analyze whether these relationships varied by Greek affiliation status.
According to the results, students affiliated with Greek organizations reported significantly higher alcohol and cannabis use than non-members, with alcohol prevalence nearly 20% higher and cannabis prevalence 8% higher, as well as greater frequency and quantity of consumption. However, Greek-affiliated students had lower loneliness scores than non-members. While past 30-day cannabis use showed no significant relationship with loneliness, any past-30-day alcohol use was consistently associated with lower loneliness, and within drinkers, heavier and more frequent alcohol consumption corresponded to even lower loneliness levels. Post hoc analysis revealed that students in the lowest quartile of loneliness had higher maximum daily drinks than those in the highest quartile. Although alcohol use was associated with lower loneliness levels, loneliness was positively linked to alcohol- and cannabis-related consequences, with this pattern evident for alcohol across both Greek and non-Greek groups, but for cannabis only among non-Greek students.
Takeaway: College students’ alcohol consumption may be associated with reduced loneliness, yet the adverse outcomes resulting from both alcohol and cannabis use correlate with heightened loneliness, underscoring the need for loneliness-focused interventions especially targeting students experiencing substance-related consequences.
Peña, M., Bierly, N. A., Schepis, T. S., & Stimulant Norms and Prevalence Team. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Loneliness on Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among College Students. Substance Use & Misuse, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2556245