The influence of drinking pattern, at individual and aggregate levels, on alcohol-related negative consequences

Abstract

Aim: To determine the extent drinking patterns (at the individual and country level) are associated with alcohol-related consequences over and above the total alcohol the person consumes. Methods: Hierarchical linear models were estimated based on general population surveys conducted in 18 countries participating in the GENACIS project. Results: In general, the positive association between drinking pattern scores and alcohol-related consequences was found at both the individual and country levels, independent of volume of drinking. In addition, a significant interaction effect indicated that the more detrimental the country's drinking pattern, the less steep the association between the volume of drinking and its consequences. Conclusion: Drinking patterns have an independent impact on consequences over and above the relationship between volume and consequences. © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.