The Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Academic Achievment among College Students Literature Review - Essay Example

“Over 40% of students nationwide have been reported to participate in binge drinking behavior, when it is defined as at least four drinks per drinking occasion for women and at least five drinks for men” (Jennison, 2004b). Excessive consumption of alcohols among college students has been closely linked with academic disturbances such as missed classes, reduction in classroom performance, lowered grades, dropping out, and school failure (Jennison, 2004b). The Harvard School of Public Health CoUege Alcohol Study (1999) reveals 44% of the surveyed students to be binge drinkers 23% to be frequent binge drinkers (Richardson, 2000).

Its effects on academics in higher education institutions are indeed a matter of concern. “In addition to well-documented consequences such as poor performance on assignments and missed classes, studies suggest that college drinking is a major factor in student dropout rates” (Sullivan, 2002). This severe threat of the college drinking problem led to the setting up of a task force on College Drinking in 1998 by the National Advisory Council to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) with the view to support the development of a national plan for college drinking research at NIAAA (Jennison, 2004b).

According to the information provided by NIAAA Task Force on College Drinking almost 25% of college students experience academic disturbances due to alcohol consumption, such as obtaining lower grades, performing poorly in tests and projects, missing class and even dropping out (“A Call to Action”, 2002). The use and abuse of alcohol by students on campuses has been recognized as a serious disturbance affecting the student life (Molstad et al., 1998). Heavy patterns of alcohol accompany greater chances of students experiencing alcohol related problems mainly poor academic performance (Molstad et al., 1998). The alcohol intake by male college students is more frequent and in greater volumes