Vulnerability for Alcohol Use Disorder and Rate of Alcohol Consumption

"Binge drinking" may be more prevalent in individuals with an increased vulnerability to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and could act as an early warning indicator. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggested that individuals presenting certain risk factors self-administered alcohol at faster rates than those who did not present the risk factors. 

"Binge drinking" is defined in this study "as reaching a blood alcohol level of 80 mg%" which could be achieved after the consumption of "4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men - in about 2 hours".  As part of this study, 159 social drinkers between the ages of 21 and 45 were surveyed on their family history of problem drinking, behavioural impulsivity, and level of response to alcohol. They were then asked to self-administer alcohol under lab conditions to replicate a typical session of social drinking. 

Those individuals who had an increased risk factor for AUD associated with a family history of problematic drinking were more likely to administer more alcohol at a faster rate than individuals with lower risk. 

This research study is not exhaustive and focused on a small population sample. Further research could support those working in clinical settings to identify those partaking in "binge drinking" as having greater vulnerability to AUD and greater need for early intervention.