Acute Alcohol Intoxication: Differences in School Levels and Effects on Educational Performance

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effects of acute alcohol intoxication on adolescents' school performance. In the 2007–2015 period, 3,317 adolescents (ages 12 to 17 years) were treated for acute alcohol intoxication, and 37 adolescents were admitted to the hospital twice. Alcohol intoxication has an overrepresentation in “low” school levels. The 37 recidivists were more often male. During the second admittance, the period of non-consciousness was longer (four versus two hours). Six recidivists had lower educational levels when measured during the second admittance. The decline in educational level between the first and second hospital admittance suggests the negative impact of alcohol intoxication on school performances. Additional research is needed on the causal relation between (heavy) alcohol use and child development.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol intoxication
• pediatric care
• recidivists
• school performance