Abstract Young adulthood is the phase of life during which the most alcohol is consumed. This can have negative consequences and long-term effects. These effects might be explained by risk taking...Show moreAbstract Young adulthood is the phase of life during which the most alcohol is consumed. This can have negative consequences and long-term effects. These effects might be explained by risk taking behaviour. The association between risk taking behaviour and alcohol use has already been studied. However, to our knowledge, the relationship between alcohol use and the different domains of risk taking (health/safety, recreational, ethical, social and financial risks) has not been studied. Understanding these different contexts is essential to develop targeted interventions on the relationship between alcohol use and the specific domains to reduce excessive risk behaviours and alcohol use. Therefore, this research studies the extent to which risk taking in different domains is associated with, and predicts, alcohol use in young adults from 18 to 25 years old. The different domains of risk taking are measured by the Domain-Specific Risk Taking questionnaire and alcohol use is measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. This study was conducted cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The cross-sectional part consisted of 89 participants and studies the extent to which there is an association between risk taking in different domains and alcohol use. It is hypothesised that young adults who take risks in different domains also consume more alcohol. From the results, it can be concluded that young adults who consume alcohol are more likely to take health/safety risks, but they are less likely to take social risks. The longitudinal part consisted of 35 participants and studies the extent to which risk taking in different domains predicts alcohol use two years later. It is hypothesised that risk taking in different domains predicts alcohol use two years later. However, results show that risk taking is not predictive of alcohol use two years later. This result could be due to the small sample size of this study. Given these conclusions, it is important to continue with the interventions on health/safety risks and alcohol use and to target new interventions on social risks and alcohol use. In the future, this study could be repeated in other countries with an Eastern culture or in countries with different legal drinking ages.Show less