IQ levels in high school predict alcohol habits in adulthood.

Research studies focused on alcohol often reveal surprising trends. For instance, among couples who share similar drinking habits and prefer to drink together, life expectancy turned out to be higher compared to non-drinkers or couples where only one partner drinks.

Authors of another study found that parenting styles indirectly influence, through stress levels, whether a child may later be susceptible to episodic drunkenness and other alcohol-related issues.

Scientists have repeatedly analyzed how IQ levels, or intelligence quotients, correlate with drinking habits. There is no consensus in the results of such studies: some found a link between abstinence from alcohol and higher IQ levels, while others reported the opposite trend.

However, few have previously examined drinking patterns among individuals aged 50-60 in relation to their IQ levels measured during adolescence. This approach was taken by a group of psychiatric specialists from the Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas (USA).

In a new paper published by the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, researchers utilized data from the long-term study Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), which involved over 10,000 graduates from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. Observations of these individuals continued until their deaths or until 2022, when they surpassed the age of 80.

The sample included 6,300 individuals who underwent IQ testing during their senior year and provided information about their lifestyle. Later, in 1992 and 2004, when participants were approximately 53 and 65 years old, they filled out questionnaires regarding their drinking habits.

As a result, the subjects were divided into three groups: abstainers, moderate drinkers (up to 29 alcoholic beverages per month for women and up to 59 for men), and heavy drinkers (more than 30 drinks for women and more than 60 for men).

Using statistical analysis methods, researchers discovered that individuals with higher IQ values in their youth were less prone to binge drinking in adulthood, defined as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages at a time. Such episodes were more common among men than women, which aligns with data from other studies indicating a greater tendency for males to engage in risky alcohol consumption patterns.

At the same time, as IQ increased among high school students, so did the chances of being in the moderate or heavy drinking group at ages 50-60, but not among abstainers. Each additional point in IQ scores increased the corresponding probability by 1.6%.

“We are not saying that IQ levels in high school determine one's fate. However, this metric may influence social factors related to alcohol consumption. This is an important mechanism worth studying. Apparently, higher IQ predicts a greater likelihood of being a moderate or heavy drinker,” the researchers stated.

The analysis also revealed that the relationship between IQ and drinking patterns was partially influenced by income levels. Researchers explained this by suggesting that a higher IQ could lead to stressful jobs or greater opportunities for drinking in the company of well-earning individuals.