Table 3.

Changes in drinking status based on follow-up data

Drinking status at baseline	Change of drinking	Drinking status at 8–10 years’ follow-up	N (%)
Abstainer (n = 4116)	Keeping non-drinking	Abstainer	3139 (76.2)
	Start drinking and quitting again	Former drinker	411 (10)
	Start drinking	Current drinker	566 (13.8)
Former drinker (n = 572)	Keeping non-drinking	Former drinker	270 (47.2)
	Start drinking and quitting again	Former drinker	66 (11.5)
	Start drinking	Current drinker	236 (41.3)
Current drinker (n = 4235)	Quit drinking	Former drinker	723 (17)
	Keeping drinking	Current drinker	3512 (83)