Background: Impairments in executive functions (EFs) are related to binge drinking in
young adulthood, but research on how EFs influence future binge drinking is lacking.
The aim of the current report is therefore to investigate the association between various
EFs and later severity of, and change in, binge drinking over a prolonged period during
young adulthood.
Methods: At baseline, 121 students reported on their alcohol habits (Alcohol use
disorder identification test; Alcohol use questionnaire). Concurrently, EFs [working
memory, reversal, set-shifting, response inhibition, response monitoring and decisionmaking
(with ambiguity and implicit risk)] were assessed. Eighteen months later,
information on alcohol habits for 103 of the participants were gathered. Data were
analyzed by means of multilevel regression modeling.
Results: Future severity of binge drinking was uniquely predicted by performance on the
Information sampling task, assessing risky decision-making (b D 􀀀1.86, 95% CI: 􀀀3.69,
􀀀0.04). None of the study variables predicted severity or change in binge drinking.
Conclusion: Future severity of binge drinking was associated with making risky
decisions in the prospect for gain, suggesting reward hypersensitivity. Future studies
should aim at clarifying whether there is a causal association between decision-making
style and binge drinking. Performance on all executive tasks was unrelated to change in
binge drinking patterns; however, the finding was limited by overall small changes, and
needs to be confirmed with longer follow-up periods.