Longitudinal changes in alcohol use across 20 years of adulthood: a U.S. National daily diary study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

While alcohol consumption typically declines with age, drinking trajectories may vary across indicators and individual characteristics. The current study uses daily diary methodology to describe longitudinal changes in alcohol consumption across up to 20 years.

Method

We used three waves of 8-day diary surveys from the National Study of Daily Experiences. Participants (N = 1379; M_age = 49.8 years) completed 2+ waves of telephone interviews at 10-year intervals.

Results

Multilevel regression analyses revealed declines in drinking quantity across time (b = -0.26; SE = 0.05; p < 0.001), while drinking frequency, at-risk drinking frequency (>1/>2 drinks per day for females/males), and likelihood of non-drinking did not cha

SUBMITTER: Miller SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12606898 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature