Do you drink more or less frequently and heavily when in a committed relationship? Recent research involving 2,425 same-sex twins reveals that married or cohabiting individuals consume fewer drinks and drink less often compared to singles.
Prior studies consistently show married adults drink less than singles or divorced individuals. This analysis, controlling for shared genetics and family backgrounds, confirms these patterns.
Married twins drank less alcohol overall and less frequently than their single or divorced co-twins. Cohabiting twins mirrored this trend, consuming less than singles or separated counterparts.
Notably, cohabiting participants drank more often than married individuals but less than singles, widows, or divorcees. Cohabiting men consumed less per occasion than married men, while cohabiting women matched married women's intake.
The findings suggest that ending a relationship correlates with heavier drinking sessions, though not necessarily more frequent drinking.
