ABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to define the epidemiological profile of alcohol ingestion and its associated risks, in universitary students. A social survey about drinking habits was performed to a random sample of 528 students, aged 17 to 26 years old, 54 percent male, from Austral University. Eighty two percent of males and 79 percent of females drink alcoholic beverages. They mainly consume beer and strong spirits. Their main comsumption is occasional, during parties or celebrations. Thirty percent of males and 15 percent of females had 3 or more inebretions during the last year. Nine percent of males and 3 percent of females can be considered as problem drinkers. Students that drink alcohol have lower grades that teetotalers. It is concluded that alcohol consumption is frequent among students