Relationships among alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking problems in adolescents

We examined relationships among perceived alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking problems. Subjects were 3,372 adolescent drinkers, ages 16-18, who participated in the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Project baseline survey. Mixed-model regression was employed to identify predictors of alcohol consumption and drinking consequences. Perceived alcohol availability was significantly associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption for males. Drinking in a public location with higher levels of alcohol consumption for females. Results underscore the importance of youth alcohol assessibility.