College Students, Alcohol Use and Abuse

Consequences

Excessive campus drinking has been associated with negative physical and psychosocial consequences that are sometimes severe. Impaired judgment and motor [Page 211]skills lead to physical injuries while driving and when engaging in other tasks. Indeed, in 2004, there were 1,700 deaths among college students and another 599,000 injuries primarily due to driving while under the influence or due to alcohol poisoning. Many students who engage in heavy drinking experience difficulties completing daily tasks and maintaining motivation for achievement, difficulties which can lead to academic failure. Impaired judgment during intoxication can also lead students to engage in criminal activities that they typically would not engage in and which potentially result in legal sanctions with severe consequences for college completion and future employment. Even behaviors that are not illegal can negatively influence future opportunities, as evidenced by a recent trend to post compromising pictures of intoxicated students on social networking Web sites. Heavy drinking can also exacerbate emotional distress that is sometimes associated with the rigors of academic life and has been found to be associated with increased levels of depression and suicidal ideation. In addition, the lowered impulse control during intoxication can lead to unplanned, unprotected sex, which can lead to increased risk for pregnancy, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, and negative emotional consequences. For a segment of the college population, heavy use leads to more frequent and severe patterns of alcohol use and the eventual development of an alcohol use disorder (i.e., alcohol abuse or dependence). Therefore, although students and the general population may view campus alcohol use as a natural right of passage, many students could benefit from professional guidance and leadership to ameliorate the negative consequences of alcohol misuse and abuse.

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