Mathematical modelling of binge drinking from social interactions

Binge drinking is a multi-factorial problem where peer influence in the immediate environment has a key role in the appearance of the first episode and the recurrence. However, information regarding the interaction of variables that mediate the influence among people is limited. Binge drinking pattern is generally derived from interrelationships with other drinking states in a manner analogous to the susceptible-infectious relationship. Nevertheless, the classic modelling approach is not appropriate because the periodicity of consumption is associated with specific social contexts where social drinkers adopt binge drinking. We analyse the temporal evolution of binge drinkers, formulating a discrete mathematical model that incorporates the effect of the size of the influence group, the incitement-to-use and the refractoriness to recurrence as parameters. Our results allow evaluating the potential impact of interventions according to the individual and social characteristics of the susceptible population. New horizons of epidemiological research are established to prevent alcoholism.