Trends in Adult Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking in the Early 21st‐Century United States: A Meta‐Analysis of 6 National Survey Series. (23rd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grucza, Richard A.; Sher, Kenneth J.; Kerr, William C.; Krauss, Melissa J.; Lui, Camillia K.; McDowell, Yoanna E.; Hartz, Sarah; Virdi, Gurpal; Bierut, Laura J.
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 42:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1939
• Page End: 1950
• Publication Date: 2018-08-23
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Binge Drinking -- Trends -- Adults -- Morbidity; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.13859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Recent trends in alcoholic liver disease, alcohol‐related emergency room admissions, and alcohol use disorder prevalence as measured by general‐population surveys have raised concerns about rising alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality in the United States. In contrast, upward trends in per capita alcohol consumption have been comparatively modest. Methods: To resolve these discordant observations, we sought to examine trends in the prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking from 6 regularly or periodically administered national surveys using a meta‐analytic approach. Annual or periodic prevalence estimates for past‐12‐month or past‐30‐day alcohol use and binge drinking were estimated for available time points between the years 2000 and 2016. Estimates were combined in a random‐effects regression model in which prevalence was modeled as a log‐linear function of time to obtain meta‐analytic trend estimates for the full population and by sex, race, age, and educational attainment. Results: Meta‐analysis–derived estimates of average annual percentage increase in the prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking were 0.30% per year (95% CI: 0.22%, 0.38%) and 0.72% per year (95% CI: 0.46%, 0.98%), respectively. There was substantial between‐survey heterogeneity among trend estimates, although there was notable consistency in the degree to which trends have impacted various demographic groups. For example, most surveys found that the changes in prevalence for alcohol use and binge drinking were large and positive for ages 50 to 64 and 65 and up, and smaller, negative, or nonsignificant for ages 18 to 29. Conclusions: Significant increases in the prevalence of alcohol use and of binge drinking over the past 10 to 15 years were observed, but not for all demographic groups. However, the increase in binge drinking among middle‐aged and older adults is substantial and may be driving increasing rates of alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality. Abstract : Estimates from a meta‐analysis of six national surveys show that the prevalence of binge drinking among adults increased by about 7% over the past decade. While lower than estimates from an earlier study, increases were more pronounced among older age groups, e.g., binge drinking increased by 38% among individuals ages 65 and over. The large increases in binge drinking among older Americans is likely driving sharp increases in alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality, while increases in alcohol sales per‐capita have been relatively small.