How many college students drink

The prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the United States was estimated by the Institute of Medicine in to be between 0. In , of the 85, liver disease deaths among individuals ages 12 and older, Among males, 53, liver disease deaths occurred, and Among females, 32, liver disease deaths occurred, and Among all cirrhosis deaths in , The proportion of alcohol- related cirrhosis deaths was highest From to , alcohol-related liver disease was the primary cause of almost 1 in 3 liver transplants in the United States, replacing hepatitis C virus infection as the leading cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.

Research has shown that people who misuse alcohol have a greater risk of liver disease, 40 heart disease, depression, stroke, and stomach bleeding, as well as cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, pharynx, 41,42 liver, colon, and rectum. They may increase their likelihood of unsafe sexual behavior. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of drowning 44 and injuries from violence, 45,46 falls, 46 and motor vehicle crashes.

Alcohol-impaired driving fatality: A fatality in a crash involving a driver or motorcycle rider operator with a blood alcohol concentration BAC of 0. Alcohol misuse: Drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to users or to those around them. For individuals younger than the legal drinking age of 21, or for pregnant females, any alcohol use constitutes alcohol misuse.

Alcohol use disorder: A chronic brain disorder marked by compulsive drinking, loss of control over alcohol use, and negative emotions when not drinking. AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Recovery is possible regardless of severity. The DSM-IV, published by the American Psychiatric Association, described two distinct disorders—alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence—with specific criteria for each.

Disability-adjusted life-years: A measure of years of life lost or lived in less than full health. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, — , adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed.

Drinking less is better for health than drinking more. Some individuals should avoid alcohol completely. Underage drinking: Alcohol use by anyone under the age of In the United States, the legal drinking age is Table 2.

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In: Traffic Safety Facts: Data. About one in four college students report experiencing academic difficulties from drinking, such as missing class or getting behind in schoolwork.

In a national survey, college students who binge drank alcohol at least three times per week were roughly six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or project as a result of drinking 40 percent vs. The students who binge drank were also five times more likely to have missed a class 64 percent vs.

Around 9 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 meet the criteria for past-year AUD, according to a national survey. Other consequences include suicide attempts, health problems, injuries, unsafe sexual behavior, and driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as vandalism, damage, and involvement with the police.

Although some students come to college already having some experience with alcohol, certain aspects of college life—such as unstructured time, widespread availability of alcohol, inconsistent enforcement of underage drinking laws, and limited interactions with parents and other adults—can lead to the problem. In fact, college students have higher binge-drinking rates and a higher incidence of driving under the influence of alcohol than their noncollege peers.

The first 6 weeks of freshman year are a vulnerable time for heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences because of student expectations and social pressures at the start of the academic year. Factors related to specific college environments also are significant. Students attending schools with strong Greek systems or prominent athletic programs tend to drink more than students at other types of schools. In terms of living arrangements, alcohol consumption is highest among students living in fraternities and sororities and lowest among commuting students who live with their families.

An often-overlooked preventive factor involves the continuing influence of parents. Research shows that students who choose not to drink often do so because their parents discussed alcohol use and its adverse consequences with them. Like many parents, you may be doing some research on colleges and universities. You've probably looked into:. During your research, it's essential to remember a key issue, one that influences college students' quality of life every day: the culture of drinking at colleges in the United States.

An "Animal House" environment may seem exciting to students at first, but nothing affects health, safety, and academic performance more than a culture of alcohol misuse. Many of the negative consequences associated with college alcohol abuse affect students who are not drinking—and these are serious consequences: sexual assault, violence, vandalism, loss of sleep, and caring for friends and roommates in life-threatening states of alcohol poisoning.

Research suggests that creating a safer campus and reducing harmful and underage student drinking will likely come from a combination of individual- and environmental-level interventions that work together to maximize positive effects.

Strong leadership from a concerned college president in combination with engaged parents, an involved campus community, and a comprehensive program of evidence-based strategies can help address harmful student drinking. Table 6. Accessed January 11, Drinking beyond the binge threshold: Predictors, consequences, and changes in the U.

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