Gender differences in patterns of alcohol consumption in Spain.

Gender differences in alcohol consumption components, hazardous alcohol consumption, and drinking patterns among Spaniards were analyzed. The study was conducted in the fall of 1992 on 2,500 individuals, aged 14-70 years, who lived in the region of Castile and Leon (Spain). Males drank more frequently (with a high intake of alcohol), were more likely to be hazardous drinkers, and started drinking earlier than females. Both sexes drank beer in a similar way, but not wine and spirits. Males and females gave similar reasons for drinking and showed similar patterns of "family" drinking, although sex differences in other patterns of alcohol consumption were found. The relevance of results was discussed.