Binge Drinking and Antisocial and Unlawful Behaviours in Australia

Abstract

Economic Society of Australia This paper presents individual-level evidence from Australia to examine the factors associated with binge drinking and several alcohol-related antisocial and unlawful behaviours. We study in particular the role of binge drinking in increasing the likelihood of engaging in these negative behaviours. We use individual-level data from a national representative survey and a system econometric model that allows unobservable factors for all negative behaviours to be correlated. Potential misclassification of individuals' drinking pattern is accounted for. We find evidence of under-reporting for bingeing and significant effects of binge drinking on drink-driving, physical and verbal abuse, public disturbance, and stealing and damaging property.