Heavy episodic drinkers among drinkers
Situation and trends
Heavy episodic drinking, or HED, is defined as drinking at least 60 grams or more of pure alcohol on at least one occasion in the past seven days. HED is one of the most important indicators for acute consequences of alcohol use, such as injuries. This phenomenon disproportionately affects men, who outnumber women four to one in weekly episodes of heavy drinking. Worldwide, about 1.5% of drinkers have weekly heavy episodic drinking occasions. In the more developed regions like Europe or the Americas, heavy episodic drinking is more common in poorer countries. In developing or emerging regions such as Africa or South-East Asia, richer countries show a higher likelihood of heavy episodic drinking.