Predictors of Sustained Heavy Episodic Drinking Among Young Adults

Heavy episodic alcohol consumption is common among young adults and is time-limited for some but sustained in others. To assess predictors of sustained heavy episodic drinking during the young adult years, researchers analyzed data from 2 assessments (average ages 20 and 24 years, respectively) of 609 participants, who at the first assessment reported heavy episodic drinking (defined as ≥5 alcoholic beverages on at least 1 occasion in the past year). Participants who reported heavy episodic drinking at both assessments were categorized as “sustainers,” whereas those who reported it at the first assessment only were categorized as “stoppers.”

• Of all participants, 85% were categorized as “sustainers” and 15% as “stoppers.”
• “Sustainers” were more likely to be younger, male, less educated, younger at first drink, have higher frequency of heavy episodic drinking at a younger age, and to report greater novelty seeking and impulsivity. 
• Among “sustainers,” 20% had heavy episodic drinking weekly, 44% monthly, and 36% less than monthly. A higher frequency of heavy episodic drinking at the second assessment was predicted by similar factors as above, with the addition of depressive symptoms at an earlier age.

Comments:

This study identified factors associated with sustained heavy episodic drinking during young adulthood that may be useful for identifying those at greatest risk. Future research should assess whether frequent heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders are “sustained” at this same level. However, the more salient finding may be that 77% of young adults in the study reported heavy episodic drinking and 85% of those sustained some level of it over 4 years. This suggests that all young adults should be screened for unhealthy alcohol use.

Kevin L. Kraemer, MD, MSc

Reference:

Wellman RJ, Contreras GA, Dugas EN, et al. Determinants of sustained binge drinking in young adults. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2014;38(5):1409–1415.