Past-year Drinking Research Articles

Alcohol Use and Abstinence throughout Adolescence: The Changing Contributions of Perceived Risk of Drinking, Opportunities to Drink, and Self-Control

Objective: Adolescence is characterized by psychosocial and cognitive changes that can alter the perceived risk of negative effects of alcohol, opportunities to drink, and self-control. Few studies have investigated whether these factors change in their contribution to adolescent drinking over time. This study examined associations between perceived risk, opportunities to drink, self-control, and past-year drinking and investigated whether self-control buffers the effect of lower perceived risk and frequent drinking opportunities on the probability of past-year drinking. Method: Data from a four-wave longitudinal study (2015–2020) of 2,104 North Carolina adolescents (Mage = 12.36, SDage = 1.12, at Time 1) were used to assess changes in associations between self-control, perceived risk of drinking, and drinking opportunities on the frequency of past-year drinking. Hypotheses were tested using latent trajectory models. Results: At all timepoints, greater perceived risk, fewer drinking opportunities, and higher self-control were associated with drinking abstinence in the past year. Self-control buffered the impact of frequent drinking opportunities and lower perceived risk on the probability of alcohol use at Times 1–3. Conclusions: Despite expectations that adolescents’ ability to navigate their environments improves as they age, associations between risk, protective factors, and past-year drinking were relatively stable over time. Nevertheless, self-control protected against frequent drinking opportunities and lower perceived risk. Strategies that support or relieve the need for self-control (e.g., situation modification) may protect against alcohol use throughout adolescence.

The Relationship Between Drinking Patterns and Chronic Health Conditions: New Evidence From Two U.S. National Alcohol Surveys.

The association of many chronic disease conditions with alcohol consumption is well established, and research on drinking patterns following diagnosis suggests that those with a chronic condition drink less than their healthy counterparts. However, these studies have not controlled for confounding influences on this relationship. This article reports current drinking patterns of those with one of four chronic disease conditions (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer) compared to those without, controlling for covariates. Data were analyzed from a merged sample of the two National Alcohol Surveys of the U.S. adult population (2014-2015 and 2019-2020; n = 9,597). Those reporting any one of the four disease conditions were matched to healthy control respondents on demographic characteristics and history of drinking using propensity score weighting (PSW). Those with hypertension and heart disease appeared to drink less than controls during the last year, but after models were adjusted for covariates or PSW, no significant differences were found. For diabetes, only the PSW models showed no significant difference in drinking from controls, whereas both unadjusted and adjusted models for cancer showed no differences from controls. Controlling for covariates and PSW appeared to make cases and their healthy controls more similar in past-year drinking patterns. Observed similarity in drinking patterns of those with and without a chronic disease may serve as an impetus for a greater focus on screening and identification of those with chronic conditions who would benefit from focused harm-reduction messages and implementation of effective alcohol interventions.

What pandemic? A multisite study of drinking motives and drinking games participation among college students during a pandemic (COVID-19) academic year

A drinking game (DG) is a widely practiced social activity that tends to encourage rapid alcohol consumption. While social restrictions during the pandemic (COVID-19) academic year were implemented as a health measure across many colleges/universities, the extent to which college student drinkers continued to play DGs in-person is not well understood. Because theory and research suggest that drinking motives are proximal correlates of drinking behaviors, we examined which drinking motives increased the likelihood of playing DGs in-person, and playing DGs in-person in a group of 10 + people during the 2020–21 pandemic academic year. College students (past-year drinkers) from 12 universities completed an online survey (N = 900; Mage = 19.42, Range = 18–25; SDage = 1.45, White = 73.1%, 69.2% female). Of the students surveyed, 590 students played DGs, with 460 students only playing DGs in-person. Of the students who played DGs in-person, 274 students reported that the maximum number of people they played DGs with in-person exceeded the CDC’s recommended guidelines (10 + people). Accounting for demographics, general alcohol use, and perceived COVID-19 threat, social drinking motives were positively associated with an increased likelihood of playing DGs in-person; the inverse was found for coping motives. Drinking motives were not associated with the likelihood of playing DGs with 10 + people but greater alcohol use and lower perceived threat of COVID-19 were. Given that the pandemic did not deter many student drinkers from playing DGs in-person, further investment in targeted intervention and public health initiatives aimed at substance-free alternatives promoting engagement and enhancement of social activities may be needed.

Screening and brief intervention for alcohol use disorder risk in three middle-income countries

BackgroundThis study examined the prevalence of screening and brief intervention (SBI) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) risk in samples of adult drinkers in three middle-income countries (Brazil, China, South Africa), and the extent to which meeting criteria for AUD risk was associated with SBI.MethodsCross-sectional survey data were collected from adult samples in two cities in each country in 2018. Survey measures included past-year alcohol use, the CAGE assessment for AUD risk, talking to a health care professional in the past year, alcohol use screening by a health care professional, receiving advice about drinking from a health care professional, and sociodemographic characteristics. The prevalence of SBI was determined for past-year drinkers in each country and for drinkers who had talked to a health care professional. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether meeting criteria for AUD risk was associated with SBI when adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAmong drinkers at risk for AUD, alcohol use screening rates ranged from 6.7% in South Africa to 14.3% in Brazil, and brief intervention rates ranged from 4.6% in South Africa to 8.2% in China. SBI rates were higher among drinkers who talked to a health care professional in the past year. In regression analyses, AUD risk was positively associated with SBI in China and South Africa, and with brief intervention in Brazil.ConclusionAlthough the prevalence of SBI among drinkers at risk for AUD in Brazil, China, and South Africa appears to be low, it is encouraging that these drinkers were more likely to receive SBI.

Does the relationship between alcohol retail environment and alcohol outcomes vary by depressive symptoms? Findings from a U.S. Survey of Black, Hispanic and White drinkers

AimsTo assess whether associations between alcohol availability and consumption, drinking to drunkenness, and negative drinking consequences vary among individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Methods10,482 current drinkers in 2005–2015 National Alcohol Surveys (50.0% female; 74.4% White, 8.7% Black, 11.1% Hispanic). Elevated depressive symptoms was defined as having symptoms suggestive of major depressive disorder (above CES-D8/PHQ-2 cut-offs) versus no/sub-threshold symptoms (below cut-offs). Inverse probability of treatment weighted and covariate adjusted Poisson models with robust standard errors estimated associations of ZIP-code bar density and off-premise outlet density (locations/1,000 residents), elevated depressive symptoms, and their interaction with past-year volume consumed, monthly drinking to drunkenness, and negative drinking consequences. Models were then stratified by sex and race and ethnicity. ResultsOverall, 13.7% of respondents had elevated depressive symptoms. Regarding density, the only statistically significant association observed was between off-premise density and volume consumed (rate ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 1.7). Elevated depressive symptoms were associated with higher volume consumed, prevalence of drinking to drunkenness, and prevalence of negative consequences when controlling for off-premise density or bar density. However, there was no evidence of interaction between symptoms and density in the full sample nor among subgroups. ConclusionThis study suggests that, while elevated depressive symptoms do not alter associations between alcohol availability and alcohol use and problems, they remain associated with these outcomes among past-year drinkers in a U.S. general population sample even when accounting for differential availability. Addressing depressive symptoms should be considered along with other policies to reduce population-level drinking and alcohol problems.

Neighborhood Contexts and Alcohol Use Disorder Among Mexican Americans Living in the US-Mexico Border Region.

This study assessed contributions of exposure to neighborhood stressors (violent victimization, witnessing crime, greater alcohol and drug availability) to variation in alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms among drinkers in three cities in Texas, USA. We used data from interviews conducted from 2011 to 2013 with Mexican-origin adults (ages 16-65) in the US-Mexico Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions who were past-year drinkers (N = 1960; 55% male) living in two cities in the Texas-Mexico border region (Laredo, n = 751 and Brownsville/McAllen, n = 814) and one interior comparison site (San Antonio, n = 771). Analyses (conducted in 2018 and 2019) examined overall and gender-stratified multilevel mediated effects of each border site (versus San Antonio) on AUD symptoms through the neighborhood-level factors, adjusting for individual- and neighborhood-level covariates. Overall, drinkers in Laredo reported more AUD symptoms than drinkers in the other cities, and their neighborhoods had more witnessing of crime and greater perceived drug availability, as well as higher levels of disadvantage and a lower proportion non-Hispanic White residents, than neighborhoods in San Antonio. Witnessing neighborhood crime was associated with increased AUD symptoms, while neighborhood disadvantage and proportion non-Hispanic White residents each were negatively associated with AUD symptoms. Perceived neighborhood insecurity, crime victimization, perceived neighborhood drug availability and neighborhood alcohol availability (off- and on-premise) were not significantly associated with AUD symptoms. Stratified models suggested possible gender differences in indirect effects through witnessing neighborhood crime. Reducing witnessing of neighborhood crime may help reduce AUD symptoms among adults living in the US border region.

Alcohol withdrawal in past-year drinkers with unhealthy alcohol use: Prevalence, characteristics, and correlates in a national epidemiologic survey.

Despite its potential to produce serious adverse outcomes, DSM-5 alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) has not been widely studied in the general population. We used cross-sectional data from 36,309 U.S. adults from the 2012-2013National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III to examine the past-year prevalence of AWS and its correlates. We focused on an important clinical population-past-year drinkers with unhealthy alcohol use-i.e., those with a positive score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questionnaire. We also examined the association of AWS with sociodemographic measures, psychiatric disorders, alcohol-related measures, and healthcare utilization. Approximately one-third (n=12,634) of respondents reported unhealthy alcohol use (AUDIT-C+). Of these, 14.3% met criteria for a DSM-5 AWS diagnosis. The mean (SE) number of withdrawal symptoms among individuals with AWS was 2.83 (1.88), with the most common being nausea/vomiting and insomnia (19.8% and 11.6%, respectively). Among AUDIT-C+ respondents, the odds of AWS were significantly higher among males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.17 [95% CI, 1.02-1.33]), unmarried participants (aOR=1.55 [95% CI, 1.25-1.92]), and those at the lowest (vs. highest) income levels (aOR=1.62 [95% CI, 1.37-1.92]). Among AUDIT-C+ respondents, AWS was also associated with psychiatric disorders (with aORs that ranged from 2.08 [95% CI, 1.79-2.41]) for major depressive disorder to 3.14 (95% CI, 1.79-2.41) for borderline personality disorder. AUDIT-C+ respondents with AWS also had higher odds of past-year alcohol use disorder (aOR=11.2 [95% CI, 9.66-13.07]), other alcohol-related features (e.g., binge drinking), and healthcare utilization. Among individuals with unhealthy alcohol use, AWS is prevalent, highly comorbid, and disabling. Given the risk of AWS among unhealthy drinkers, a comparatively large segment of the general population, clinicians should seek to identify individuals with AWS and intervene with them to prevent serious adverse outcomes.

Are changes in parenting related to the decline in youth drinking? Evidence from a comparison of Sweden and Denmark.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to replicate earlier studies suggesting that changes in parenting have contributed to the recent decline in youth drinking by comparing parenting in a country experiencing a sharp decline in youth drinking (Sweden) with a country with only a small decline (Denmark). Data and analysis: Data stem from self-reported information from 15–16-year-old children in the Swedish and Danish subsamples of ESPAD. Youth drinking was measured by prevalence and frequency of drinking over the past year. Parenting was measured in terms of the extent the child reported that: (1) parents’ attitudes towards offspring drinking are restrictive, (2) parents set up general rules for what their children are allowed to do, and (3) parents have high level of knowledge about where and with whom their children spend time. The association between these indicators of parenting and youth drinking was first estimated with logistic regressions. Second, changes in parenting between 1999 and 2015 were compared between Denmark and Sweden across the study period. Results: Restrictive parental attitudes were associated with a lower likelihood of past-year drinking and frequent drinking in both Sweden and Denmark. This attitude was more common in Sweden, where it also became more prevalent between 2003 and 2015 in contrast to in Denmark. The association between strict parental rule-setting and youth drinking was weak in both countries. A high parental knowledge of the child's whereabouts was linked to a lower likelihood of past-year drinking in Sweden and a lower frequency of drinking in both countries. Parental knowledge of offspring's whereabouts did not develop differently in Sweden and Denmark, with a high and stable proportion in both countries. Conclusion: More restrictive parental attitudes towards youth drinking may have contributed to the decline in youth drinking, whereas the importance of general parental rule-setting and parental knowledge of offspring's whereabouts was not supported.

Alcohol Use Frequencies and Associated Problems Across Drinking Contexts

To better quantify the impact of specific on- and off-premise drinking contexts on population-level alcohol-related problems, we evaluated context-specific risks relative to frequency of use of each context. We surveyed 860 adult (21-100 years) past-year drinkers in the California East Bay, sampled in areas of high versus low median household income and off-premise alcohol outlet densities. We examined associations of context-specific drinking frequencies in seven on- and off-premise drinking locations with individual and area characteristics using negative binomial regression. Next, we used heteroscedastic ordered logistic regression to relate context-specific drinking frequencies and continued volumes to five drinking-related problems (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores, physiological problems, risky sex, social problems, and driving after drinking too much). To estimate population-level effects, we assessed drinking frequencies relative to mean past-year use of each drinking context. Higher individual annual income (>$60,000) was associated with more frequent drinking in all on-premise drinking contexts (bars/clubs, restaurants, and stadiums). Heavier overall drinking was associated with drinking more frequently at bars. Drinking more frequently in respondents' own homes and heavier drinking at friends'/relatives' homes were associated with most drinking-related problems. The population-level effects of physiological problems and driving after drinking too much were highest for parties and friends'/relatives' homes, whereas that of risky sex outcomes was highest for bars. Assessing context-specific risks related to heavy and/or frequent drinking, in combination with scaling these risks to determine population-level impacts, can help tailor interventions to reduce alcohol-related problems across different on- and off-premise contexts.

Unrecorded alcohol consumption in Thailand: Prevalence, geographical variation, relationship with socioeconomic factors and related consequences.

Information on unrecorded alcohol consumption in Southeast Asia and Thailand is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of unrecorded alcohol (including illegally produced alcohol and untaxed cross-border alcohol) consumption among past-year drinkers in Thailand. The secondary objectives were to examine the geographical variation of unrecorded alcohol consumption, effects of socioeconomic factors on unrecorded alcohol consumption and the association between unrecorded alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences. This study analysed data from the 2017 Smoking and Drinking Behavior Survey. The prevalence of unrecorded alcohol consumption was estimated. Associations of interest were tested using multivariate logistic regression. Overall, 12.3% of past-year drinkers consumed any unrecorded alcohol. The prevalence was highest in the north (24.8%) and lowest in the central region (7.4%). In multivariate analysis, living in the north was associated with consumption of any unrecorded alcohol and illegally produced alcohol, whereas living in the south was associated with untaxed cross-border alcohol consumption. The lowest education and income group had the highest likelihood of consumption of any unrecorded alcohol and illegally produced alcohol, but the lowest likelihood of untaxed cross-border alcohol consumption. Consumption of unrecorded alcohol was associated with a higher chance of alcohol-related consequences. This study estimated the prevalence of unrecorded alcohol consumption among Thai drinkers and demonstrated the geographical variation in the prevalence and types of unrecorded alcohol consumed. We also found heterogenous associations between socioeconomic factors and each type of unrecorded alcohol.

Tracking the decline in Australian adolescent drinking into adulthood.

Adolescent drinking in Australia (and many other countries) has declined substantially since the early 2000s. This study aimed to test whether these declines have been maintained into adulthood and whether they are consistent across sub-groups defined by sex and socio-economic status. Quasi-cohorts were constructed from seven repeated waves of cross-sectional household survey data (2001-2019). Australia. A total of 20 733 respondents age between 14 and 24 (male: 9492; female: 11 241). Participants were grouped into five cohorts based on their birth year (from 1979-1983 to 1999-2003). Three measures of drinking were assessed: any past-year consumption (yes/no), past-year regular risky drinking (12 or more drinking episodes of >40 g of pure alcohol, yes/no) and total volume of alcohol consumed in the past year (in Australian standard drinks, 10g of alcohol). Socio-economic status was measured based on neighbourhood of residence. Drinking declines were consistent across socio-economic groups on all measures and trends were broadly similar for women and men. More recent birth cohorts had significantly lower levels of drinking across all three measures (odds ratios between 0.31 and 0.70 for drinking and risky drinking, coefficients between -0.28 and -0.80 for drinking volume). There were significant interactions between birth cohort and age for past-year drinking and past-year regular risky drinking, with cohort differences diminishing as age increased. Lighter drinking adolescent cohorts appear to partly 'catch up' to previous cohorts by early adulthood, but maintain lower levels of drinking and risky drinking up to the age of 24. These ongoing reductions in drinking are spread evenly across socio-economic groups.

Association between Self-Reported Exposure to Alcohol Advertisements and Drinking Behaviors: An Analysis of a Population-Based Survey in Thailand.

The relationship between alcohol advertising and drinking has been demonstrated in many studies. Most studies were conducted on adolescents or young adults. Thailand has strict regulations on alcohol advertisements. This study aimed to examine associations between exposure to alcohol advertisements and drinking behaviors, i.e., past-year drinking and past-year heavy drinking, using data from a population-based survey in Thailand. The survey participants were Thai citizens aged 15 or older. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associations. The primary explanatory variable was self-reported exposure to alcohol advertisements. Covariates in the regression models included sex, age, and education. Self-reported exposure to alcohol advertisements was associated with past-year drinking (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07–1.27), past-year heavy drinking (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.28–1.41), and past-year heavy drinking among drinkers (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.43–1.60). Male sex, working age, and secondary education or a diploma were associated with higher odds of past-year drinking and past-year heavy drinking. In this study, self-reported exposure to alcohol advertisements was shown to be associated with past-year drinking and past-year heavy drinking among a population aged 15 years or older.

Measuring changes in alcohol use in Finland and Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic: Comparison between data sources.

ObjectivesTo examine (1) how a rapid data collection using a convenience sample fares in estimating change in alcohol consumption when compared to more conventional data sources, and (2) how alcohol consumption changed in Finland and Norway during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsThree different types of data sources were used for the 2nd quarter of 2020 and 2019: sales statistics combined with data on unrecorded consumption; the rapid European Alcohol Use and COVID‐19 (ESAC) survey (Finland: n = 3800, Norway: n = 17,092); and conventional population surveys (Finland: n = 2345, Norway: n1 = 1328, n2 = 2189, n3 = 25,708). Survey measures of change were retrospective self‐reports.ResultsThe statistics indicate that alcohol consumption decreased in Finland by 9%, while little change was observed in Norway. In all surveys, reporting a decrease in alcohol use was more common than reporting an increase (ratios 2–2.6 in Finland, 1.3–2 in Norway). Compared to conventional surveys, in the ESAC survey fewer respondents reported no change and past‐year alcohol consumption was higher.ConclusionThe rapid survey using convenience sampling gave similar results on change in drinking as conventional surveys but higher past‐year drinking, suggesting self‐selection effects. Aspects of the pandemic driving alcohol consumption down were equally strong or stronger than those driving it up.

Associations between trust and drinking among adolescents.

Trust is closely linked with health, but previous research on its association with alcohol use has yielded mixed findings. The aim of this study is to examine: (i) how two different dimensions of trust (general/institutional) are associated with alcohol use among adolescents; (ii) how these dimensions interact with alcohol use; and (iii) whether the associations are moderated by sex, parenting, health, school satisfaction or economic disadvantage. A nationwide sample of 5549 adolescents (aged 15-16 years) in Sweden answered a questionnaire in school. General and institutional trust were measured with five items each. Logistic regressions were used to examine associations between drinking and the trust dimensions, and the cross-combinations of these. Moderation by sex, parenting, health, school satisfaction and economic disadvantage was tested. General and institutional trust were both significantly associated with drinking. High scores on both dimensions simultaneously were associated with the lowest probability of drinking, and low scores on both with the highest. Low institutional trust had a stronger association than low general trust. The combination of high institutional/low general trust was more protective than low institutional/high general trust. The association between general trust and drinking was moderated by school satisfaction, and the relationship between institutional trust and drinking was moderated by parental support and control. High trust is associated with a lower probability of past-year drinking among 15-16-year-olds. Parents and schools can be useful in endeavours to prevent low-trusting individuals in this age group from drinking.

Associations of antidepressant use with alcohol use and problem drinking: Ontario population data from 1999 to 2017.

This study investigated the rates of and change in past-year antidepressant use from 1999 to 2017 among a representative sample of Ontario adults and past-year alcohol users and problem drinkers. It examined whether alcohol use and problem drinking are associated with antidepressant use over time, whether gender moderated the effect of problem drinking on antidepressant use, and the potential correlates of past-year antidepressant use. This study utilized data from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor study, a repeat cross-sectional telephone survey of the Ontario general adult population. Data are from 15 annual cycles of the survey 1999-2017 (where relevant variables were included), resulting in a sample size of N = 35,210. Variables of interest included demographic variables, past-year antidepressant use, past-year alcohol use, and past-year problem drinking (e.g., 8+ on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Past-year antidepressant use increased from 1999 to 2017 similarly among the full sample, past-year alcohol users, and past-year problem drinkers. Approximately 9% of Ontarians reported past-year antidepressant use in 2017. Overall, past-year problem drinkers were 1.5 times more likely to use antidepressants than non-problem drinkers. Past-year alcohol use was not associated with antidepressant use. Gender moderated the association between past-year problem drinking and antidepressant use. This study determined that past-year antidepressant use increased from 1999 to 2017, that past-year problem drinkers are more likely to use antidepressants than non-problem drinkers, and that past-year problem drinking is associated with past-year antidepressant use among women but not among men.

Does knowing about the long-term health effects of alcohol matter? Evidence from a university sample in Lebanon.

Research linking awareness of health effects of alcohol and harmful alcohol drinking status is limited. To investigate the association between awareness of long-term alcohol effects and alcohol use disorders. University students aged 18-25 years (n = 1155) completed a self-filled survey. Participants were asked if they knew that alcohol causes: (1) problems in the liver; (2) cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and breast; (3) damage to the heart; and (4) weakening of the immune system. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between awareness of long-term alcohol effects and alcohol drinking status, including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) alcohol use disorders. One third (32.8%) were past-year drinkers and 18% screened positive for DSM-5 alcohol use disorders. Compared to past-year drinkers with no alcohol use disorders, non-past-year ever drinkers were twice as likely to know about the link between alcohol and cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and breast. Past-year drinkers with an alcohol use disorders were less likely to know about this association. Non-past-year ever drinkers (vs past-year drinkers with no alcohol use disorders) were also 2.6 times more likely to know the alcohol liver risks. There is a strong inverse relationship between awareness of the effects of alcohol and harmful consumption among young people, providing preliminary support for the protective nature of knowledge on alcohol drinking status. Efforts to increase public awareness of the long-term health effects of alcohol may be useful in reducing alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol consumption among elderly persons in Jamaica: prevalence and associated factors

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with, alcohol consumption among elderly persons in Jamaica. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of national cross-sectional survey data. Pearson’s Chi-Square was used to examine the association between alcohol consumption and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with alcohol consumption. Results Of the 4,623 participants, 316 (6.8%) were elderly. Prevalence of lifetime alcohol drinking was high in the elderly (74.4%). Past-year drinking was significantly associated with gender (p < .001), marital status (p < .01) and religion (p < .01), while past-month drinking was significantly associated with religious affiliation (p < .01). In the multivariable logit models, the odds of past-year drinking among males was 4.34 times as high as among females (AOR: 4.34, 95% CI = 2.17–8.69). Currently married elderly persons had 62% decreased odds of drinking alcohol in the past year (AOR: 0.38, 95%CI = 0.17–0.86). Conclusion Findings suggest that elderly persons have a high prevalence of alcohol consumption, and as such, policymakers and program planners need to pay more attention to alcohol drinking in the elderly population. Spouses of elderly persons who drink should also be included in alcohol reduction programs.

Current drinking patterns in US veterans with a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

ABSTRACT Background: Although more than 40% of US military veterans have lifetime histories of alcohol use disorder (AUD), little is known about the prevalence and correlates of current drinking patterns (i.e., abstinent, subthreshold, hazardous drinking) in this population. Objectives: To characterize the prevalence and key correlates of abstinence, subthreshold drinking, and hazardous drinking in a nationally representative sample of US veterans with lifetime AUD. Methods: Data from 1,282 veterans with lifetime AUD who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study were analyzed using analyses of variance, chi-square analyses, and multinomial regression models. Results: Of the 1,282 veterans with lifetime AUD (of which 94.7% were males), 674 (48.2%) were past-year subthreshold drinkers, 317 (28.0%) were abstinent and 291 (23.8%) were hazardous drinkers. Abstinent veterans were older, less educated, less socially engaged, and had higher levels of religiosity than subthreshold and hazardous drinkers. They were also more likely to smoke, screen positive for PTSD, reported greater somatic symptoms than subthreshold drinkers, and had more physical difficulties and lifetime trauma than hazardous drinkers. Subthreshold drinkers were more likely than hazardous drinkers to be female and report physical health problems and less likely to smoke and be depressed. Conclusion: More than three-quarters of US veterans with lifetime AUD are currently abstinent or subthreshold drinkers. Factors associated with abstinence included older age, health problems, religiosity and social engagement. Results suggest a “J-shaped” relationship between current drinking patterns and health and psychosocial factors in veterans, with subthreshold drinkers generally having better health than abstinent and hazardous drinkers.

Does Drinking Initiation of Young Thai Drinkers Vary Over Time and Generation? Results of the National Surveys on Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption of the Thai Populations 2007 to 2017.

Early age at drinking initiation may be one factor responsible for underage drinking in Thailand and this may be affected by cultural and generational changes over certain periods of time. This study aimed to explore the effects of time period and generation on drinking onset of young Thai drinkers in the past decade. We analyzed data from a total of 60,018 Thais aged 15 to 24years from 4 national surveys conducted in 2007, 2011, 2014, and 2017. We used multilevel and event history analysis to examine the effects of period (survey year) and cohort (birth year of participants), adjusted for sex, age, area of residence, and region on drinking onset. The overall prevalence of past-year drinking was 23.6 % (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.2, 23.9) among participants of all surveys. Cox proportional hazards model revealed significantly different probabilities to have initiated drinking between participants of different surveys and birth years, indicating significant period and cohort effects. After adjusting for sex, age, cohort, living region, and area of residence, participants in the 2014 survey had the highest likelihood to have started drinking (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.25 CI: 1.15 to 1.36), compared to the participants of the same age in the 2007 survey while those in the 2011 (HR: 0.89, CI: 0.85, 0.93) and 2017 (HR: 0.63, CI: 0.58, 0.68) surveys had less likelihood. Participants born in 1993 to 2002 (later cohort) had higher probability to have started drinking than those born in 1983 to 1992 (HR: 1.80, CI: 1.69, 1.92). Thai youths of the recent generations living in recent years tend to have a higher probability of initiating drinking than those in the past. Interventions to prevent underage drinking should begin earlier for the young generation.

Sleep Problems and Drinking Frequency among Urban Multiracial and Monoracial Adolescents: Role of Discrimination Experiences and Negative Mood.

Mounting evidence suggests that multiracial adolescents may be at greater risk than their monoracial peers for both sleep problems and alcohol use. However, mechanisms underlying these uniquely-heightened risky health behaviors among multiracial adolescents remain a gap in the literature. This cross-sectional study examined a risk pathway involving discrimination experiences and negative mood underlying racial disparities in concurrent sleep problems and drinking frequency. Students at an urban, socioeconomically-disadvantaged high school (N=414; grades 9–11, Mage=16.00 [SD=1.08]; 57% female; 17% multiracial, 41% Black, 22% White, 18% Asian, 2% Other; 12% Hispanic/Latinx) completed a survey. Path analysis demonstrated that associations of multiracial status with sleep problems (insomnia symptom severity and insufficient weekday sleep duration), but not drinking frequencies (past-year drinking or past-2-week binge-drinking frequencies), were explained by discrimination experiences and, in turn, negative mood. In ancillary analysis excluding White students, the serial indirect risk pathway was significant for both insomnia symptom severity and past-year drinking frequency outcomes. Discrimination experiences and negative mood may function as intermediate factors contributing to racial disparities in adolescent sleep problems, although longitudinal replication is needed.