Overview
- Tracking more than 3,000 Norwegians from ages 13 to 31 over 18 years, the study found a correlation between communal heavy drinking in late adolescence and higher education and income later on.
- Lead author Willy Pedersen argues the association likely reflects alcohol’s role in signaling sociability and easing networking rather than any direct effect of drinking.
- The findings do not establish causation, and experts note that privilege and pre-existing trajectories may drive both social drinking and later achievement.
- The research also reports that starting heavy drinking earlier or drinking alone is linked to poorer outcomes, and it emphasizes that alcoholism is not a path to success.
- Norway’s public health director Linda Granlund urges people to reduce consumption due to clear health risks, and addiction specialists warn that any perceived benefits are outweighed by harm.