Persistent Binge Drinking Predicts Continuing Alcohol Problems in Moderate Drinkers

Binge drinking (≥ five drinks on the same occasion) is a public health concern. Surprisingly, binge drinkers can be individuals who on-average drink moderately (≤ 7 drinks/week for women and ≤ 14 drinks/week for men). Among moderate drinkers, we investigated: (a) persistence in binge drinking across 9 years and (b) the association between persistent binge drinking and concurrent alcohol problems at 9 years.

Participants were 1,102 U.S. adults who were moderate drinkers. Data were from two waves of the study of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), with a 9-year time lag (2004 through 2015). A mediation model examined the predictive association between binge drinking at baseline and multiple (≥ 2) alcohol problems 9 years later, mediated through persistent binge drinking at 9 years.

Binge drinking at baseline predicted multiple alcohol problems 9 years later mediated through persistent binge drinking at 9 years. Being a binge drinker at baseline increased the odds of binge drinking 9 years later by more than 6 times. In turn, binge drinking at 9 years was associated with more than five times increased odds of experiencing concurrent multiple alcohol problems.

These findings underscore the significance of binge drinking in a large group of adults who often fall below the public health radar. We show that binge drinking among moderate drinkers is persistent across time and that persistence in binge drinking is linked to ongoing multiple alcohol problems. Moderate drinking adults should be included in primary and secondary prevention efforts to reduce binge drinking.