According to a survey of 1,162 Michigan State University (MSU) students, more than half of those who said they drank on special occasions ended up getting drunk. But only 5 percent said they had intended to get drunk.

The survey showed that students who drink on special occasions typically drink more, drink over a longer period of time, and are more likely to get drunk.

"We found that many students actually intend to protect themselves from excessive drinking or the problems that can result from this behavior," said Larry Hembroff, senior survey methodologist at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at MSU. "However, many overestimate the amount of alcohol they can consume without putting themselves at risk of serious health problems. Even if they do know their limit, many get caught up in the spirit of the occasion and lose track of how much they've had to drink."

The survey showed that "celebration drinking" could increase the risk of health problems associated with excessive alcohol use.

To address the findings of the study, MSU has created a pilot program and educational campaign to help students use alcohol responsibly during celebrations. The campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

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