Predictors of aging out of heavy episodic drinking in emerging adults: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundHeavy episodic drinking (HED) refers to alcohol consumption that exceeds the recommended threshold for a given episode and increases risk for diverse negative alcohol-related consequences. A pattern of weekly HED is most prevalent in emerging adults (i.e., age 18–25). However, rates of HED consistently decline in the mid to late twenties, referred to as ‘aging out’ or ‘maturing out’ of HED. Although many individual studies have …