title: Development and validity of drinking pattern classification: binge, episodic, sporadic, and steady drinkers in treatment for alcohol problems.
abstract: This study refines an empirically derived drinking pattern classification system [Addict. Behav. 20 (1995) 23] and assesses its concurrent and predictive validity in a new sample of alcohol-dependent adults in treatment. Drinking data were collected from 195 adults (133 men) at baseline and for 52 weeks postbaseline using the Timeline Follow-back (TLFB) method. Ninety-three percent of the sample were classified into one of four drinking patterns: binge (n=13, 6.5%), episodic (n=41, 21%), sporadic (n=17, 9%), or steady (n=111, 57%). The steady drinking group showed substantial variability in drinking intensity and was divided into steady/high intensity (n=67, 34%) and steady/low intensity (n=44, 23%) subgroups. With age and gender controlled, the five subgroups did not differ on baseline employment or marital status, but differed on a measure of relationship functioning. Binge and steady/high groups reported the most severe alcohol-use histories. Steady/low intensity drinkers had later age of onset of alcohol problems. The five-pattern classification demonstrated predictive validity; steady (heavy and low intensity) drinkers most dramatically reduced the frequency of their drinking at 26 weeks postbaseline, while binge drinkers reduced their drinking intensity. Binge and steady/heavy drinkers were more likely than steady/low and sporadic drinkers to be abstinent at follow up. The final classification into five pattern groups shows promise of clinical utility for treatment-seeking samples.
authors.affiliation: Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. bepstein@rci.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Labouvie
authors.forename: Barbara S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: McCrady
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swingle
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wern
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004651:Employment; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome