The relationship between teenage ‘binge’ drinking, age of first alcohol consumption and intoxication

Abstract

This paper is an investigation into the relationships between ‘binge’ drinking in adolescence, and ages of first drinking alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) and of first intoxication. These relationships are examined using data collected as part of the UK component of the European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). This single phase cross sectional survey elicited self‐report data from a national sample of 1710 school students aged 15 and 16 years. It has been suggested that the early onset of alcohol consumption is predictive of heavy drinking and/or alcohol‐related problems in later life. This possibility is examined by estimating within‐gender effects of earlier age of first drinking alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)/first intoxication on the likelihood of (more frequent) recent ‘binge’ drinking (i.e. ‘binge’ drinking in the last 30 days). Another line of enquiry is examination of between‐gender effects of first drinking alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)/first intoxication at a particular age on the likelihood of (more frequent) recent ‘binge’ drinking. Proportional odds logistic regression has been used to investigate relationships of interest. There was no evidence to suggest statistical associations between ‘binge’ drinking and the ages of first drinking beer or of first intoxication. Even so, ‘binge’ drinking was found to be associated with the age of first drinking wine and the age of first drinking spirits. Furthermore, these associations were significantly different for girls and boys. Nearly two‐thirds of the within‐gender effects of earlier age of first drinking wine or spirits on ‘binge’ drinking examined were statistically non‐significant. Those results that were significant revealed that, with one exception, boys/girls who first drank wine or spirits earlier in life were more likely to ‘binge’ drink than individuals of the same gender who first drank wine or spirits later in life or who have never consumed wine or spirits. The exception was boys who first drank wine at 15–16 years of age; they were less likely to drink in ‘binges’ than boys who have never drunk wine. This exploration suggests that early first drinking experience with any type of alcoholic beverage is not necessarily a risk factor for ‘binge’ drinking amongst UK teenagers.

• Early onset
• alcohol
• teenagers
• binge drinking
• United Kingdom
• ESPAD

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jan and Jim Green, and Dunedin Data Services (Edinburgh). This study was inspired by Bjo˝rn Hibell and aided by Barbro Andersson of the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and other Drugs. It was carried out with encouragement from the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe and the World Health Organization. Thanks also go to Mrs Judy Orme and Dr Jane Powell of the University of the West of England, Bristol, and to the students and teachers in the participating schools for encouragement and support. The 2003 United Kingdom ESPAD study was mainly funded by the Wates Foundation and the University of the West of England, Bristol. Additional support was provided by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Oakdale Trust, Butcombe Brewery Ltd, Dr George Carey, the Jack Goldhill Charitable Trust, R& J Lass Charities Ltd and the North British Distillery Company Ltd.