Prevalence of heavy episodic drinking in the Brazilian adult population: National Health Survey 2013 and 2019

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking in the Brazilian adult population, according to sociodemographic characteristics, in 2013 and in 2019. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using data on heavy episodic drinking among adults (≥ 18 years) from the National Health Survey, analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: 60,202 participants were included in 2013 and 88,531 in 2019. The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking, in 2019 (17.1%; 95%CI 16.6;17.5), was higher than 2013 (13.1%; 95%CI 13.1;14.2). In the two years, there was a higher prevalence among male sex, adults 18 to 39 years old, individuals with high schooling and Black skin color. In addition, higher prevalence were found among residents in urban areas and in the Midwest and Southeast regions. CONCLUSION: The indication of the growing prevalence of alcohol abuse in Brazil and the differences in prevalence, according to sociodemographic characteristics, show the need to encourage public policies and actions to combat its use.