title: Social network as predictor for onset of alcohol use disorder: A prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Social network has been linked to alcohol use disorder in several studies. However, since the majority of such findings are cross-sectional, causal interpretation is difficult. The aim of the present study was to test if social network characteristics predict alcohol use disorder in a prospective design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on social network and covariates was obtained from 9589 men and women aged 21-99 years in the Copenhagen City Heart Study, followed for registration of alcohol use disorder in the Danish National Patient Registry and the WINALCO database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men who lived alone, were separated or divorced or widowers had a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder: HR among men living alone vs. men not living alone was 2.28 (95% CI: 1.59-3.27), and HR among separated/divorced men vs. married men was 2.55 (95% CI: 1.33-4.89). No such associations were found among women. Frequency of contact with friends was associated with risk of developing alcohol use disorder among both sexes. For example, the HRs were 1.72 (CI 95%: 0.99-3.01) and 2.59 (95% CI: 1.42-4.71) among women who had contact with friends a couple of times per week and daily, respectively, compared with more rarely. Frequency of contact with family was not associated with risk of developing alcohol use disorder among either sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Living alone and not being married or cohabiting with a partner were predictors of developing alcohol use disorder among men. Further, frequent contact with friends was associated with higher risk of alcohol use disorder among both sexes.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 2, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: smik@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Stine Schou
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 2, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: jst@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Janne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tolstrup
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 2, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark; Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. Electronic address: ulbe@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Psychology, Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 15, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: elme@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Erik Lykke
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Psychology, Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 15, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: tfma@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Trine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flensborg-Madsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult