Alcohol consumption, at-risk and heavy episodic drinking with consideration of injuries and alcohol-specific medical advice

Abstract

The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) was conducted from 2008–2011 and comprised interviews, examinations and tests. The target population was the resident population of Germany aged from 18–79 years (n=8,152). Data on alcohol consumption, at-risk drinking and heavy episodic drinking was collected in a self-administered questionnaire with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C). At-risk drinking is most common among young individuals aged from 19–29 years (men 54.9%; women 36%), becoming less common from an age of 65 years. With 41.6%, at-risk drinking is more prevalent in men than in women (25.6%). Men are three times more likely to be heavy episodic drinkers than women. Injuries are more common among individuals with at-risk or heavy episodic drinking. They receive advice on alcohol consumption during visits to general practitioners/specialists or outpatient departments more often than individuals without these drinking patterns.