A. 11%
B. 36%
C. 17%
D. 63%
Answer:
The correct option is A. 11% of incoming college students who report being frequent, high-risk drinkers.
Alcohol consumption is a common part of college life. Many college students view drinking as a social activity that helps them relax and unwind after a long week of classes and studying. However, excessive drinking among college students can have serious consequences for their health, academic performance, and overall well-being. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the prevalence of high-risk drinking among college students.
What is high-risk drinking?
High-risk drinking is a term used to describe drinking behaviors that increase the risk of negative consequences, such as alcohol poisoning, accidents, injuries, and violence. High-risk drinking is often defined as consuming a certain number of drinks within a certain period of time. For example, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within a two-hour period.
High-risk drinking is a significant problem among college students. According to the NIAAA, approximately 1,825 college students die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes. In addition, alcohol use is associated with a range of negative consequences among college students, including academic problems, sexual assault, and mental health issues.
Prevalence of high-risk drinking among college students
Several studies have examined the prevalence of high-risk drinking among college students. One study, published in the Journal of American College Health, surveyed 14,521 students from 119 colleges and universities across the United States. The study found that approximately 11% of incoming college students reported heavy episodic drinking (i.e., consuming five or more drinks in a row) in the past two weeks. The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking was higher among males (14.5%) than females (7.8%).
Another study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, surveyed 1,490 college students from one university and found that 42.2% of students reported binge drinking (i.e., consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men) in the past month. The study also found that binge drinking was associated with a range of negative consequences, including academic problems, alcohol-related injuries, and sexual assault.
A third study, published in the Journal of American College Health, surveyed 8,600 students from 18 colleges and universities across the United States and found that approximately 30% of students reported consuming alcohol at high-risk levels (i.e., binge drinking or consuming 15 or more drinks per week) in the past month.
Implications of high-risk drinking among college students
High-risk drinking among college students has a range of negative implications for their health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Excessive alcohol use can lead to alcohol poisoning, accidents, injuries, and violence. In addition, high-risk drinking is associated with a range of negative academic consequences, such as missed classes, poor grades, and dropping out of college.
High-risk drinking is also associated with a range of mental health problems among college students, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. In addition, excessive alcohol use is a major risk factor for sexual assault among college students. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), alcohol is involved in approximately 50% of sexual assaults on college campuses.
