alcohol misuse that are relevant in the South African context are increased risk for injury and death (for example, from interpersonal violence, motor vehicle accidents and drownings associated with excessive alcohol use); increased probability of participating in sexually risky behaviors, with consequences such as becoming pregnant unintentionally, giving birth to children suffering from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders, or contracting sexually transmitted diseases and being infected with HIV; increased probability of experiencing academic difficulties, failing to pass school grades, failing to attend school regularly, dropping out of high school, and being involved in criminal activities (Parry et al., 2004). It is also a source of concern that adolescents with diagnoses of AD have not sought or been referred to treatment. In sum, developmentally vulnerable adolescents who consume excessive amounts of alcohol and who suffer from AD may be at increased risk of failure to develop optimal levels of neuro-cognitive functioning and to thrive in numerous aspects of life.
