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Thursday, November 8, 2007

Alcohol in emerging adulthood: 7-year study of problem and dependent drinkers
Addictive Behaviors Volume 33, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 134-142



This study examined the level, changes and predictors of alcohol consumption and binge drinking over a 7-year period among young adults (18–25 years) who met the criteria for problem drinking.

Overall alcohol consumption declined over time but leveled off around 24 years of age. Being male, not attending AA over time, as well as more baseline dependence symptoms and greater ASI alcohol and legal severity were associated with greater consumption and binge drinking. In addition, greater levels of binge drinking were associated with less education, earlier age of first use, and a larger social network of heavy drinkers.

In conclusion, more attention should be paid to heavy drinking among young adults and to the factors that influence their drinking patterns.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: kdelucchi@lppi.ucsf.edu

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