Highâ intensity drinking by underage young adults in the United States

AimsTo estimate (1) the prevalence of underage binge drinking, highâ intensity drinking and intoxication among young adults aged 19/20Â years; (2) change in these behaviors across the transition out of high school and across historical time; and (3) associations between these behaviors and key covariates, including college status.Design, Setting, ParticipantsLongitudinal data from the US nationally representative Monitoring the Future study included 1657 respondents first surveyed as 12th graders (modal age 18Â years) in 2005â 13 and again at modal age 19/20Â years in 2006â 14.MeasurementsSelfâ reported measures of alcohol use, demographics, college attendance and living situation.FindingsBinge drinking (5+ drinks on one occasion) was reported by 24.2% [95% confidence interval (CI)Â =Â 22.0, 26.5] of young adults aged 19/20; 10.3% (CIÂ =Â 8.7, 11.9) reported highâ intensity drinking of 10+ drinks; 4.2% (CIÂ =Â 3.1, 5.2) reported 15+ drinks. Usual moderate/high intoxication when drinking was reported by 33.1% (CIÂ =Â 30.6, 35.6); 29.6% (CIÂ =Â 27.2, 32.0) reported usual sustained intoxication of 3+ hours. Significant variability (PÂ <Â 0.001) in these behaviors from ages 18 to 19/20 was observed. Significant decreases (PÂ <Â 0.05) across historical time in 5+ and 10+ drinking were found. Fourâ year college students not residing with parents had significantly higher odds of moderate/high intoxication, binge drinking and highâ intensity drinking compared with other groups (PÂ