Self-reported alcohol consumption among high school students in France. Epidemiological approach of the alcoholisation process and its evolution.

Very few data are available concerning alcohol consumption among adolescents in France. Three epidemiological surveys carried out by INSERM (Unit 185), focused on the evolution of drinking behaviour patterns among high school students. Consumption trends from 1971 to 1984 were studied: daily wine consumption fell by one-third between these periods; daily beer consumption remained steady; regular hard liquor use fell by about 50% between 1971 and 1978 but showed a marked increase thereafter. The experience of drunkeness increased very significantly among young people, especially among girls. It seems that alcohol consumption became of a more addictive type recently.