The persistence of adolescent binge drinking into adulthood: Findings from a 15-year prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of binge drinking in adolescence and its persistence into adulthood in an Australian cohort. Design: 15-year prospective cohort study. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Participants: 1943 adolescents were recruited from secondary schools at age 14-15 years. Primary outcome measures: Levels of past-week 'binge' drinking (5+ standard drinks on a day, each 10 g alcohol) and 'heavy binge' drinking (20+ standard drinks on a day for males, 11+ for females) were assessed during six adolescent waves, and across three adult waves up to age 29 years. Results: Half of the males (52%) and a third of the females (34%) reported past-week adolescent binge drinking. 90% of ..