Alcohol Use and Risks among Young Adults by College Enrollment Status

摘要

The purpose of this report is to compare the use of alcohol, perceived risks of heavy alcohol use, and risk behaviors related to alcohol use by full-time college students and nonstudents at each age from 18 to 24 using data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The NSDUH asks respondents about the quantity and frequency of alcohol use in the past month, symptoms of alcohol dependence or abuse, perceptions of drinking, and behaviors associated with alcohol use over the past year, including seat belt use, driving under the influence of alcohol, and symptoms of alcohol problems. Binge alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.