Maturing out or in? Demographic determinants of young adult drinking trajectories and midlife alcohol use disorder risks

Over half of adults reported stable patterns of drinking across ages 18-30, but over half also reported at least one period of higher risk drinking. More recent cohorts are less likely to "mature out" of higher intensity alcohol use but also more likely to abstain. Even "lower risk" drinking conferred increased probability of AUD symptomatology relative to abstention. Our findings underscore the need to identify hazardous alcohol patterns during adolescence and young adulthood to prevent later life misuse and dependency.