Alcohol Consumption and Drinking-Related Consequences: Among College Students With and Without a Disability

This study evaluated alcohol consumption anddrinking-related consequences among U.S.undergraduate college students with and withoutdisabilities. There has been extensive prior researchon the alcohol consumption of the generalundergraduate student population, typically to theexclusion of students with disabilities. Studies ofcollege student drinking frequency and consequenceshave consistently found that alcohol abuse isproblematic on most campuses. Among the questionsasked of students from this survey were how oftenthey drink, how much they consumed per drinkingoccasion, specific behaviors/consequences in relationto their drinking, and their disability status.Results of this descriptive study showed thatundergraduate students with and without a disabilityengaged in binge drinking at an equivalent high rate,regardless of disability status. Students whoself-identified as having a disability, on average,reported binge drinking at the same rate as thosestudents without disability and experienceddrinking-related consequences that were similar tostudents without disability.