[Characteristics that define the 'botellón' phenomenon in university students and adolescents]

This paper presents some of the main parameters in the behaviour pattern of young people in their binge drinking practices, seeking to improve the somewhat inaccurate view emerging from field studies. A total of 4083 questionnaires were administered to young people in Valencia aged 14-25 during the academic year 2005/2006, from a random sample of schools and other educational institutions. The survey was conducted in the institutions themselves and participation was anonymous and voluntary. The findings confirm a progressive reduction in the age at which this practice begins, 13 having been the starting age for those adolescents who are currently 14 years old. Likewise, the results contradict the assertion that binge drinking is practised mainly by boys, as it is found to an equal extent in either sex. The European trend towards radicalisation of consumption is also confirmed: a considerable increase in the use of drinks with high alcohol content regardless of age and gender, resulting in mean blood alcohol levels of 1.5 gr. twice a week on average for more than 6 months a year. All of this is commonly combined with a misleading perception of the effects of alcohol consumption, the positive aspects being overestimated. These results underline the need to design selective or even indicated prevention programmes for approximately 20% of the most extreme cases, with a view to overcoming the current constraints of universal prevention. Nor should interventions overlook the issue of parental permissiveness--reflected in aspects such as early age of onset of binge-drinking or lack of controls on the time young people come home after partying.