OBJECTIVE: To examine how social contexts of drinking are related to alcohol use disorders, other alcohol-related problems, and depression among college students. METHODS: Logistic regression models controlling for drinking frequency measured the association between social context and problems, among 728 current drinkers. RESULTS: Drinking for social facilitation was associated with drinking and driving and housing violations. Drinking in the context of motor vehicles was associated with alcohol abuse/ dependence. Drinking in a context of emotional pain was associated with clinical depression. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-free programming that fulfills needs for conviviality and addresses early signs of depression might reduce alcohol problems among college students.