Episodic heavy drinking in four Nordic countries: a comparative survey.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the phenomenon of episodic heavy drinking (binge drinking) and its different indicators in the Nordic countries.


METHODS
A comparative survey of four Nordic countries.


METHODS
Telephone interviews in Denmark, 1997; Finland, 1996; Norway, 1996; and Sweden 1996-97.


METHODS
Random samples of men and women aged 19-71 years.


METHODS
Episodic heavy drinking was measured by the frequency of subjective intoxication, of drinking six or more drinks at a time (6+), and of negative consequences (mainly hangover symptoms). Additionally, annual consumption and measures of intake per occasion were used.


RESULTS
Annual consumption, overall frequency of drinking and frequency of drinking 6+ were highest in Denmark and lowest in Norway. Frequency of subjectively defined intoxication was highest in Finland. There it was clearly higher than the frequency of drinking 6+, whereas in Denmark the contrary was observed. Finnish and Norwegian men and Danish women reported the largest quantities drunk per occasion. Results on 6+ frequency and the prevalence of negative consequences, with annual consumption held constant, suggest that Danes have the least concentrated drinking pattern. With annual consumption held constant, Norwegians report as high a frequency of intoxication, as do Finns.


CONCLUSIONS
The relations between subjective and more objective measures of episodic heavy drinking vary considerably between the Nordic countries. The results suggest that the definition, acceptability and experience of intoxication vary even when a set of relatively homogeneous countries are compared.
Mäkelä
P
P
Alcohol and Drug Research Group, STAKES, Helsinki, Finland. pia.makela@stakes.fi
Fonager
K
K
Hibell
B
B
Nordlund
S
S
Sabroe
S
S
Simpura
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000506:poisoning*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018401:Sample Size; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol