The relation between alcohol abuse or dependence and academic performance in first-year college students

A large-scale study (N = 3518) was designed to assess the academic performance of college freshmen in relationship to alcohol abuse or dependence. Alcohol abuse or dependence was identified in 501 (14%) students; of these, 128 (3.6%) were alcohol-dependent. Of the students who met criteria of alcohol dependence, 62.5% failed in their first year, compared to 50% among students who did not report these drinking problems. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2002.