Coulter RWS, et al. - Sexual-orientation differences in alcohol use trajectories during emerging adulthood were estimated. Researchers also examined if alcohol use trajectories mediated sexual-orientation differences in alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Observations suggested that compared to completely heterosexuals, several sexual-minority subgroups have higher odds of belonging to heavier alcohol use trajectories throughout emerging adulthood in the United States. The higher risk of alcohol use disorders among mainly heterosexual and gay/lesbian women but not among sexual-minority men was thus partially explained by the findings.