DO SOME TYPES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LEAD TO MORE PROBLEMS FOR ADOLESCENTS

Objective: In surveys of alcohol use the alcoholic beverage preferred is sometimes noted but rarely given much attention. What little resear ch exists on how beverage type relates to alcohol problems, delinquenc y and drug use has produced inconsistent results. This study identifie s groups of high school students who drink beer, wine or spirits exclu sively as well as those who drink multiple beverage types and examines whether problems are limited to a beverage type or a combination of t ypes. Method: This study uses data from the 1991 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey. The sampling design employs a stratified (grade by region) single-stage cluster sample of homeroom classes. Students who drank a lcohol at least once a month are included (N = 1,557). Results: Most s tudents (82%) drink a combination of beer, wine and spirits. However, drinker type is not related to alcohol problems, drinking and driving, tobacco use, cannabis use or drug problems, holding constant age, gen der and alcohol consumption. Only for heavy drinking and delinquency i s there a significant association with drinker type. Exclusive beer an d spirits drinkers and drinkers of all three beverages are more likely than the other drinker types to consume five or more drinks on a sing le occasion and to engage in delinquent behavior. Conclusions: Drinker s of beer and spirits and all three beverage types are not only heavie r drinkers but probably more rebellious and deviant. Wine, if taken ex clusively, appears to be the beverage of moderation.