Drinking Among Young Adults: Prevalence, Patterns, and Consequences

Lori A Quigley; G Alan Marlatt

Drinking Among Young Adults: Prevalence, Patterns, and Consequences

Alcohol Health Res World. 1996;20(3):185-191.

Authors

Lori A Quigley¹, G Alan Marlatt¹

Affiliation

¹ Lori A. Quigley, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral research associate trainee at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center and G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., is a psychology professor and director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

PMID: 31798173
PMCID: PMC6876515

Abstract

Young adults have a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking than any other age group. They also drink more heavily and experience more negative consequences of drinking. Rates of alcohol abuse and dependence are disproportionately higher among those between the ages of 18 and 29 compared with other age groups. Young adults are also overrepresented among alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Over time, distinct patterns of change in frequent binge drinking occur, and most heavy-drinking young adults appear to "mature out" of abusive drinking patterns as the responsibilities of later adulthood supervene. Drinking patterns are affected by demographic, psychological, behavioral, and social factors as well as minimum drinking age legislation and the cost of alcohol. Motivational programs designed to reduce risks and consequences associated with young-adult drinking may help in reducing alcohol consumption and its consequences.

Keywords: AOD abuse; AOD associated consequences; AOD consumption; AOD dependence; AOD use pattern; binge AOD use; college student; drinking and driving; heavy AOD use; literature review; prevalence; risk factors; young adult.