Heavy drinking and problems among wine drinkers

The purpose of this study was to see whether adults who drank wine exclusively would have lower quantity-frequency scores, less intoxication and fewer alcohol-related problems than those who drank other types of alcohol.

Data were analyzed from a national survey of the use of alcohol and other drugs conducted in Canada in 1994 (N = 8,758).

Wine only drinkers were less often intoxicated than other drinkers. They also had lower quantity-frequency scores and reported fewer alcohol-related problems than other drinkers. These results were maintained when age, gender and quantity-frequency were taken into account.

Wine only drinkers drink less than other types of drinkers and have fewer problems. As wine is often drunk with meals there is probably more social control over drinking. Also, since wine drinkers drink with meals their blood alcohol concentrations may be lower.