Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Problems in Young Adults

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Abstract
The relationships among alcohol problems and alcohol consumption variables including quantity-frequency (Q-F) classifications, frequency of alcohol use, quantity of alcohol use, and beverage types, were examined in a young adult population. Total alcohol-related problems, drinking and driving problems, and school problems increased significantly when young adults drank moderately. Certain types of problems, however, appear to be more or less associated with alcohol consumption. For example, physical illness problems increased during light drinking, while interpersonal and legal problems increased during moderate-heavy and heavy alcohol use, respectively. Virtually no differences were found on alcohol problems for drinking classifications between sexes. Both the frequency and quantity of beer and liquor use were found to be positively associated with alcohol problems. The relationship between the frequency and quantity of wine use and alcohol problems, however, was less strong and more dissonant. In general, alcohol problems were found to be related to relatively low levels of frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption. Specific suggestions regarding substance abuse prevention program content and models were also discussed.