Clinical relevance of heavy drinking during the college years: Cross-sectional and prospective perspectives

This study investigated the clinical relevance of heavy drinking during the college years and beyond on concurrent and prospective alcohol-related pro blems in a high-risk sample (N = 377). Measures of heavy drinking and alcoh ol-related problems were significantly correlated cross-sectionally over th e study frame, regardless of how these constructs were operationalized. How ever, the magnitude of the association between heavy drinking and alcohol-r elated problems declined substantially over time, with the most pronounced decrease following the college years. Despite this cross-sectional decrease in the association between heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems ove r time, heavy drinking during the college years significantly and substanti ally predicted alcohol-use disorders up to 10 years later. Implications for assessment of heavy drinking as well as prevention of problematic alcohol use in college students are discussed.