title: Risky single occasion drinking frequency and alcohol-related consequences: can abstinence during early adulthood lead to alcohol problems?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the main purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine the impact of risky single occasion drinking (RSOD) frequency on alcohol dependence and drinking consequences reported 15 months later.
  
  
  METHODS
  As a baseline sample, 5,990 young men were assessed on their drinking habits including the frequency of RSOD. Of them, 5,196 were reassessed at follow-up 15 months later on RSOD frequency, alcohol dependence and alcohol related consequences in thze interceding year. Drop out biases were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Around 45% of the baseline participants reported regular RSOD (every month or more frequently). Despite the fact that RSOD distribution was generally stable during the initial sample, 47.4% reported a variation of their RSOD frequency 15 months later. Around 25% of the sample reported reduced RSOD frequency. Nonetheless, occasional RS drinkers were more likely to become regular (monthly) RSO drinkers at follow up. Daily and weekly RSOD were associated with high proportions of alcohol dependence and detrimental consequences of drinking. Surprisingly, abstainers at baseline were more likely to be at risk of alcohol dependence and consequences at follow up than non-RSO drinkers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that alcohol abstinence is logically the best way to avoid the detrimental consequences of alcohol drinking, abstainers at baseline reported as many problems due to alcohol use at follow up as occasional or monthly RSO drinkers. The few participants who had become RSO drinkers during the follow up period were indeed likely to engage in detrimental behaviour. Non-RSO drinkers had the fewest problems due to alcohol use. This substantiates the early occurrence of drinking consequences among inexperienced RSO drinkers.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Geopolis Building, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dupuis
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland; Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Geopolis Building, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baggio
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Henchoz
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deline
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: N'Goran
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Studer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bäehler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Meichun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohler-Kuo
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Treatment Centre, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gmel
mesh_terms: D064829:Alcohol Abstinence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult