Teen alcohol use affects grades and mental health

Teenagers who consume alcohol and marijuana during middle and high school are at greater risk of poor academic performance and mental health, a new study shows.

Study supports arguments that teen drinking results in poorer academic performances

The research by non-profit RAND Corporation followed a group of students over a seven-year period and found those using both alcohol and marijuana experienced “poorer functioning” – particularly among non-white adolescents.

Asian, black and Hispanic teenagers were found to be “less prepared academically” than white students, and that Hispanic and multi-ethnic youths demonstrated lower academic performance than white teenagers.

“Disparities are occurring as early as high school and therefore it is crucial to address alcohol and marijuana use early on, especially for non-white youth,” said Elizabeth D’Amico, lead author of the study and senior behavioural scientist at RAND.

“One approach may be to increase protective factors such as parental support or the adolescent’s ability to resist temptations to use these substances.”

The research looked at two groups of adolescents who were asked to complete seven surveys between 2008 and 2015. A total of 6.509 students took part in at least two waves of the survey.

All participants took part in an alcohol and other drug use prevention programme called CHOICE, which took place in 16 middle schools in LA.

Though the study suggested white adolescents “appear” to experience less negative effects from alcohol and marijuana use, the survey indicated this group was at a “higher risk” for using alcohol and marijuana during middle school and high school.

“Many youth tend to think that alcohol use has more consequences than marijuana use and therefore view marijuana use as safer than drinking,” added D’Amico.

“However, youth need to be better understand the harms of marijuana use, such as the potential effect on their developing brain and how it can affect performance in both adolescence and adulthood.”