What is the "stage of life phenomenon" in early adulthood?

Research with college students has suggested that binge and heavy drinking may be part of a "stage of life phenomenon" for which the transition out of high school increases the risk. As they enter college, young people experience greater exposure to drinking and encounter higher levels of peer drinking and positive peer attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol use tends to increase. Most emerging adults report experiencing more positive consequences of drinking (such as feeling social) than negative consequences (such as cognitive impairment), which contributes to high rates of binge and heavy drinking in this age group. Although emerging adults who attend college tend to drink more than their noncollege attending peers, heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems are more common among emerging adults regardless of college enrollment.