Alcohol Consumption and the College Student – the Causes and Effects
Alcohol Consumption and the College Student – The Causes and Effects
December 24, 2011
Table of Contents List of Illustrations 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1.0. INTRODUCTION 5 1.1. Purpose Statement 5 1.2 Problem 5 2.0 DISCUSSION 7 2.1 Factors That Contribute To The Problem 7 2.2.1 Solutions Proven Most Effective Through Documented Scientific Research 8 2.2.2 Solutions Proven Least Effective Through Documented Scientific Research 10 2.2.3 Solutions Needing More Research 10 2.2.4 Summary Chart of Solution Effectiveness 11 3.0 CONCLUSION 12 3.1 Conclusion 12 3.2 Recommendation 12 3.3 Benefits 13 References 14
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. Summary Chart of Solution Effectiveness 14
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Drinking by college students is a widespread and serious problem that has enormous costs to colleges, communities, and the students themselves. Effective reduction of alcohol use will benefit the college and community by reducing associated costs, damages, crimes, injuries, and deaths. Incidents of college age binge drinking and driving while intoxicated (DWI) have increased since 1998. Nationwide statistics from 2001 indicate that: * 1700 alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths among students aged 18-24 * 500,000 students (age 18-24) are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. * 696,000 students in that age group are assaulted annually by another student who has been drinking. * 2.1 million students (age 18-24) drove under the influence of alcohol * 11% of college student drinkers damaged property while under the influence of alcohol
In general, college students who binge drink attach positive expectancies to alcohol use that outweigh the negative consequences associated with excess drinking. Students also viewed alcohol consumption as a rite of passage granted upon entering college (Dodd et al., 2010). While many different strategies have been used
December 24, 2011
Table of Contents List of Illustrations 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1.0. INTRODUCTION 5 1.1. Purpose Statement 5 1.2 Problem 5 2.0 DISCUSSION 7 2.1 Factors That Contribute To The Problem 7 2.2.1 Solutions Proven Most Effective Through Documented Scientific Research 8 2.2.2 Solutions Proven Least Effective Through Documented Scientific Research 10 2.2.3 Solutions Needing More Research 10 2.2.4 Summary Chart of Solution Effectiveness 11 3.0 CONCLUSION 12 3.1 Conclusion 12 3.2 Recommendation 12 3.3 Benefits 13 References 14
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. Summary Chart of Solution Effectiveness 14
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Drinking by college students is a widespread and serious problem that has enormous costs to colleges, communities, and the students themselves. Effective reduction of alcohol use will benefit the college and community by reducing associated costs, damages, crimes, injuries, and deaths. Incidents of college age binge drinking and driving while intoxicated (DWI) have increased since 1998. Nationwide statistics from 2001 indicate that: * 1700 alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths among students aged 18-24 * 500,000 students (age 18-24) are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. * 696,000 students in that age group are assaulted annually by another student who has been drinking. * 2.1 million students (age 18-24) drove under the influence of alcohol * 11% of college student drinkers damaged property while under the influence of alcohol
In general, college students who binge drink attach positive expectancies to alcohol use that outweigh the negative consequences associated with excess drinking. Students also viewed alcohol consumption as a rite of passage granted upon entering college (Dodd et al., 2010). While many different strategies have been used
References: A call to action: changing the culture of drinking at U.S. colleges. (2002, April). Retrieved December 11, 2011, from collegedrinkingprevention.gov: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/media/TaskForceReport.pdf DeJong, W., Larimer, M. E., Wood, M. D., & Hartman, R. (2009). NIAAA 's rapid response to college drinking problems initiative: reinforcing the use of evidence-based approaches in college alcohol prevention. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from nih.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701095/?tool=pmcentrez Dodd, V., Glassman, T., Webb, M., Miller, M., & Arthur, A. (2010, March/April). Why underage college students drink in excess: qualitative research findings. American Journal of Health Education, 41(2). Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ886319 Hingson, R. W., Zha, W., & Weitzman, E. R. (2009, July). Magnitude of and trends in alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18-24, 1998-2005. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from nih.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701090/?tool=pmcentrez What colleges need to know now: an update on college drinking research. (2007, November). Retrieved December 11, 2011, from collegedrinkingprevention.gov: http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/1College_Bulletin-508_361C4E.pdf