The study found that increases in quantities of alcoholic beverages consumed on a typical occasion occurred for the majority of age groups between 1995 and 2000. Women were as likely as men to increase the quantities of alcoholic beverage they consumed. A comparison of drinking patterns among age groups found that younger groups had the greatest increases in quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed (including heavier drinking) and frequency of consumption between 1995 and 2000. Drinking patterns remained relatively stable between 1995 and 2000, with the exception of increases in abstention for some of the younger groups and increases in quantity and heavier drinking among some of the older men. The three surveys matched the national census data fairly well for gender, age, socioeconomic status (education, employment, and income), ethnicity, and geographic region. A stratified sample design was used for each survey. Measures were identical in each of the three surveys. Survey responses were analyzed for prevalence of drinking, quantity consumed on a typical drinking occasion, annual frequency, and heavier drinking (5 or more drinks per session). 1 table and 23 references