Overview

Problem: Associations between binge drinking and violence are strong, particularly in forensic samples, but prospective links between the two remain unclear.

Solution: Four-year prospective study examining impacts of bingeing on multiple aspects of violent recidivism by 793 Australian young offenders, adjusting for common risk factors for both behaviours.

Outcome: Bingeing (especially weekly or more) was amongst many variables predicting poor outcomes on multiple recidivism measures, and remained amongst the most significant after adjustment.

Conclusion: Binge drinking is a robust marker of violence risk amongst young offenders. Reducing frequent bingeing and addressing complex needs of heavy drinkers must be a priority for youth justice workers.