The Social Consequences of Binge Drinking: A Comparison of Young Adults in Six European Countries

Abstract

A considerable amount of survey information was available from general population surveys carried out in six countries between 2000 and 2005. These studies were conducted under the auspices of Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS). A total of 1,446 adults between 18 and 23 years of age and 2,482 adults between 24 and 32 years of age from the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Isle of Man, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom responded to questions about their drinking habits and the social consequences directly resulting from their drinking. Survey methods varied from quota sampling with face-to-face interviewing in Spain and the United Kingdom to telephone surveys in Denmark and Sweden. Response rates varied from 50% to 72%. "Binge" or "heavy episodic" drinking was defined as a usual amount on one occasion of more than 8 UK "units" for men and more than 6 units for women. Consequences investigated comprised relationship, health and financial problems, being asked to cut down on drinking, and being involved in a fight. In Denmark and Sweden, the group aged 24 to 32 years was less likely to be binge drinkers than the 18 to 23 year olds. In the other countries, there was little difference. There was also little difference between the age groups in frequency of drinking, but there were considerable variations in this respect between countries. People in the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Denmark were more likely to suffer at least one consequence than those in Spain and the Isle of Man. In Spain, there was little change between the age groups in this respect. Fights were most common in the United Kingdom. Being asked to cut down one's drinking was less common in Spain and Sweden than it was elsewhere. Findings are discussed in terms of the varied drinking cultures in the different countries.

Lay understanding of the causes of binge drinking in the United Kingdom and Australia: a network diagram approach

“…Changing cultural norms around alcohol consumption is extremely difficult given that norms tend to be strongly endorsed and reinforced from a young age in the UK and Australia [40,41]. Consistent with current findings indicating that the general public is aware of the influence of norms on binge drinking, data suggest that efforts to change 'drinking cultures' need to focus on changing accepted patterns of drinking in young people.…”

“…Previous research shows drinking culture as a pervasive actual and perceived cause of binge drinking [30,[38][39][40]. The pervasive effects of cultural norms and attitudes on excessive patterns of alcohol consumption, presents a considerable challenge to policymakers and those developing behavioural interventions reduce binge drinking.…”

Comparison of WEB and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Methods for Delivering Brief Alcohol Interventions to Hazardous-Drinking University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This study evaluated a brief automated alcohol intervention designed to reduce heavy episodic drinking, that is, peak alcohol concentrations, which has been associated with both short-term negative consequences and the development of alcohol dependence and abuse in college students [1,4,5]. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has used IVR as an intervention mode in college students, and the first study that compares WEB and IVR interventions, as well as single versus multiple interventions.…”

“…Heavy episodic drinking or ‘binge' drinking is commonly defined as drinking 4-5 standard units per occasion, depending on gender, or drinking that results in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent [3]. It has been associated with a variety of negative consequences, such as short-term effects on social life and physical health [1,4], and it is also recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of alcohol dependence and abuse [5]. …”

“…Alcohol involvement is consistently found to peak in emerging adulthood, that is, between 18 and 25 years, where about half of the population group exhibits heavy episodic drinking [1,2]. Heavy episodic drinking or ‘binge' drinking is commonly defined as drinking 4-5 standard units per occasion, depending on gender, or drinking that results in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent [3].…”