In both datasets, the reference group was defined as the frequency of non-binge drinking associated with the lowest risk of all-cause mortality: 3.2 times weekly for the NHIS sample and 2–3 times weekly for the VA sample. Despite the differences between the two datasets, the trends are the same. The minimum risk for all-cause mortality is estimated to be drinking 1–2 drinks approximately 2–3 times weekly, and risk of all-cause mortality increased as the number of drinking occasions increased. In the NHIS sample, using drinking 1–2 drinks 3.2 times weekly as the reference group, all-cause mortality is increased in a stepwise fashion to HR=1.05 (p=0.003) for drinking 1–2 drinks 5 times weekly, HR=1.12 (p<0.0001) for drinking 1–2 drinks 6 times weekly, and HR=1.26 (p<0.0001) for drinking 1–2 drinks 7 times weekly. In the VA data drinking 1–2 drinks 4 or more times weekly is associated with an HR=1.23 (p=0.01) when compared to drinking 1–2 drinks 2–3 times weekly (the reference).
