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College Students Drinking Habits Change Throughout the Year

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research finds college students’ drinking habits fluctuate throughout the year.

Researchers on the study kept track of college student’ alcohol consumption amounts for 55 weeks, beginning in January 2014. Over 450 college freshman participated in the study. The researchers checked in 8 times throughout the 55 weeks to gather drinking habits, amounts and learn of any events that may have spiked alcohol consumption.

It was found that college students drink the most during major events like spring break and on-campus festivals and the least throughout the summer. Specifically, there was a 29 percent drop in drinking over the summer due to the fact that the students were not in a drinking environment. However, when the students returned in the fall, the consumption levels increased by 31 percent. College freshmen also tend to drink the most during the first six weeks of college.

Drinking during college is considered normal and part of the experience, but it can be very dangerous. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), every year 1,825 students die from alcohol-related injuries.

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