Alcohol consumption among adults in Germany: heavy episodic drinking.

Abstract

Consuming harmful amounts of alcohol is considered a contributing factor in over 200 diseases. Heavy episodic drinking is a particularly risky drinking pattern, with possible consequences such as acute alcohol intoxication, injuries and violence. GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS defines heavy episodic drinking as the consumption of six or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion at least once per month. 24.9% of women and 42.6% of men show this drinking pattern at least once per month. Regular heavy episodic drinking is most common among 18- to 29-year-olds. The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking among highly educated women (all age groups) and men (aged over 45) is lower than it is among those with lower levels of education. The prevention of harmful levels of alcohol consumption requires measures including social and environmental interventions as well as targeting the individual behaviour which are focused on young adults as well as the diverse drinking patterns seen among groups with different levels of education.