Higher Blood Alcohol Concentration Research Articles

Group Influences on Individuals’ Drinking and Other Drug Use at Clubs

This article examines effects of the social group on individual alcohol and drug use upon entry and exit from the club. Based on collected biological measurements of alcohol and other drug use, this study explores whether social group indicators (e.g., group characteristics) are predictive of alcohol and other drug use for individual club patrons. A total of 368 social groups, representing 986 individuals (50.7% female), were anonymously surveyed, and biological measures of alcohol and other drug use were collected at entrance and exit to clubs on a single evening. Both individual and group-level indicators were assessed. Because data were clustered by club, event, and group, mixed-model regressions were conducted to account for non-independence. Group indicators of high blood alcohol concentration were being in a group that intends to get drunk, that has at least one member who regularly gets drunk, and that has discrepancies in its expectations regarding drug use. Group indicators related to cocaine use were high levels of drug use expected among group members, little discrepancy among the group members regarding the drug use expected, and high levels of intentions to get drunk. In addition, older groups were more likely to have higher levels of cocaine use. There were less consistent findings regarding group effects on marijuana use. The most consistent finding was that high drug use expectations were related to higher levels of marijuana use. Together, these data suggest that strategies should focus on recognizing group indicators as risks for group members. Promoting social responsibility for group members may create safer club experiences among young adults. These efforts could model designated-driver programs as a way to increase safety and social responsibility.

Blood alcohol concentrations rise rapidly and dramatically after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BackgroundThis study provides new information on how rapidly and extensively alcohol is absorbed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Previous alcohol pharmacokinetic research in RYGB patients has not reported blood alcohol concentrations in this early time period after ingestion. The objective of this study was to examine the rate and extent of alcohol absorption, particularly in the first 10 minutes after a dose of alcohol. MethodsFive female participants who had undergone RYGB 3 to 4 years previously completed the study. Participants were given .3 g/kg of actual weight of ethanol. After the dose of alcohol, blood samples were collected through an indwelling intravenous catheter every minute for the first 5 minutes and at 7.5, 10, 20, and 60 minutes. ResultsThe observed mean Cmax was 138.4±28.6 mg/dL (range 98.0–170.0 mg/dL), and the observed mean Tmax was 5.4±3.1 minutes (range 2–10 minutes) after alcohol consumption. ConclusionsWithin minutes after consumption of a beverage containing a modest amount of alcohol, post-RYGB patients achieve disproportionately high blood alcohol concentrations. All 5 participants in this study reached blood alcohol concentrations>.08%, the legal driving limit in the United States, within 10 minutes after a dose of alcohol. Clinicians are encouraged to educate patients about the marked changes in alcohol pharmacokinetics that are they are likely to experience after RYGB and to guide patients in making modifications to alcohol intake after surgery accordingly.

Getting “Game”: Pregaming Changes During the First Weeks of College

Objective: Many students pregame (ie, drink before drinking), but there are scant data evaluating changes following college entry. The authors examined pregaming across the fall quarter and identified predictors of change and initiation in college. Participants: Freshmen (N = 708; 53% female, 100% drinkers) were recruited during university orientation (baseline). Methods: Self-report data were collected at baseline and end of fall quarter for 3 cohorts (the 2008–2010 academic years) and included demographics, alcohol use, problems, pregaming, personality, and expectancies. Results: Pregaming increased from 61.7% (baseline) to 79.9% (follow-up), with students pregaming twice as often and attaining higher blood alcohol concentration at follow-up. Many (54%) baseline non-pregamers initiated by follow-up. Initiation was associated with increased overall drinking (including heavy episodic drinking), positive expectancies, and greater behavioral activation sensitivity. Conclusions: Pregaming rapidly escalates upon college entry and students who initiate in college may be at higher risk for alcohol-related problems. Campus prevention and intervention efforts should consider including pregaming in their prevention programming.

Burden of Alcohol-Related Injuries on Radiology Services at a Level I Trauma Center: Roudsari B, Psoter K, Mack C, Vavilala M, Jarvik J. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012;199:W444–8.

The authors evaluated the burden of alcohol-related injuries on a Radiology Department at a Level I trauma center. The authors hypothesized that higher blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were associated with higher utilization of imaging technologies, in particular computed tomography (CT). Moreover, the authors hypothesized that the association between BAC and CT utilization was more prominent for less severe injuries.

Prevalence of alcohol, illicit drugs and psychoactive medicines in killed drivers in four European countries

Our objective was to determine the presence of psychoactive substances in blood of drivers killed in road crashes in four European countries. Data from 1118 drivers of car and vans, killed between 2006 and 2009, were collected in Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden. The prevalence of any psychoactive substance ranged between 31 and 48%. Alcohol (≥ 0.1 g/L) was the most common finding, 87% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥ .5 g/L. Benzodiazepines (1.8–13.3%) and amphetamines (0–7.4%) were the most prevalent psychoactive medicines and illicit drugs, respectively. Alcohol–drug and drug–drug combinations were rather prevalent. Differences in alcohol/drug findings seemed to reflect differences in use in the countries. More research should be done to develop preventive strategies to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents targeting at-risk groups, such as drivers with very high BACs and novice drivers.

Prevalence of blood alcohol in fatal traffic crashes in Shanghai

The objective of this project was to investigate the incidence of alcohol consumption in fatal traffic deaths in Shanghai, one of the largest cities in China. A study was conducted on 803 individuals killed in road accidents during the period 2009–2011, in terms of alcohol-positive rate, mean blood alcohol content (BAC), gender, age, vehicle type, pedestrian alcohol problem, single-vehicle vs multiple-vehicle crashes, and time of day. It was found that 28.9% of the drivers involved had a BAC≥0.20mg/mL (limit of civil offense) and 21.8% had a BAC≥0.80mg/mL (limit of criminal offense). The mean BAC of alcohol-positive drivers (with a BAC≥0.20mg/mL) was 1.51mg/mL. The vast majority of the drivers involved were males. With regards to age, the largest group was of drivers aged between 40 and 49 years group in both alcohol-negative cases (26.8%) and alcohol-positive cases (26.2%). Motorcycles were most likely to be involved, representing 34.4% of alcohol-negative crashes and 51.6% of alcohol-positive crashes. Very high BACs were common among alcohol-positive pedestrians, yet all female pedestrians were alcohol-negative. Single-vehicle crashes were over-represented in alcohol-positive cases. Alcohol-negative crashes and alcohol-positive crashes most often happened during the time period of 17:00–18:59 and 19:00–20:59, respectively.

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Introduction: The Computerized Alcohol Screening Intervention tool (CASI) has been used effectively to diagnose patients who are dependent on alcohol or at risk of becoming dependent. In the absence of unreliable exams secondary to altered level of consciousness, areas of concern should be prioritized for further observation. Our goal is to determine if there is a significant link between alcohol consumption, injury severity or injury pattern in trauma patients between intoxicated and non-intoxicated patients. Hypothesis: Higher CASI scores will correlate with higher blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) in admitted patients. Injuries that are sustained by intoxicated patients will show similar injury patterns. Methods: A total of 1691 trauma inpatients (at an urban level-1 trauma center) completed a survey of their alcohol consumption using the CASI tool from 2009 to 2012. Patients were given a score of 1 to 4 based on their risk for alcohol dependency. The patient’s BAC, injury severity scores (ISS), and ICD-9 codes were included in the analysis. Groups were analyzed by single variable ANOVA and 2 proportion Z tests. Results: All 4 CASI categories were compared along with the BAC, ISS, and ICD-9 scores of each patient. BAC was a significant indicator between all CASI group categories (P<.001). Comparing ISS and risk of dependency, patients who had a CASI score of 1 or 2 showed a small but significant correlation (p<0.01) Patient ICD-9 codes were analyzed between patients who had a BAC greater than or less than 80 mg/dL. Patients with a BAC>80 showed significantly more injuries to the head and facial area (p<.001) compared with patients with a BAC<80 as seen in table 1. Abdominal injuries were also more significant with BAC>80 patients (p<.001). Comparisons of the chest/spinal region and of the extremities showed no significant difference. Conclusions: The ability of CASI to classify patient alcohol risk based on the presence of alcohol consumption is validated. Injury pattern data demonstrate that head and intra-abdominal injuries are associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Targeting rapid identification of these injuries in altered patients by avoiding delayed or missed diagnosis could improve outcomes.

Can blood alcohol concentration of road traffic injury patients decrease after information education communication campaign in Vietnam

BackgroundRoad traffic injury (RTI) is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Drink–driving is one of risk factor of fatal injury related traffic road in the world...

Alcohol-Impaired Driving in the United States: Contributors to the Problem and Effective Countermeasures

Objective: To review the effectiveness of current countermeasures in alcohol-impaired driving. Method: This article provides an overview of the contributors to the alcohol-impaired driving problem in the United States and reviews the effectiveness of alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures. Results: Many effective countermeasures have been used during the past few decades both to deter drivers from driving when they are over the legal limit for alcohol and to discourage driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders from reoffending once they have been caught and convicted. In recent years, greater attention has been given to the problem of “hardcore” drinking drivers, a term coined to refer to those who repeatedly drive with high blood alcohol concentrations and are resistant to changing their behavior. Although such individuals are a legitimate target for attention, focusing predominantly on this group will result in missed opportunities to address a large portion of alcohol-impaired driving crashes. This article provides a review of the primary countermeasures that have been used to reduce alcohol-impaired driving and summarizes evidence for their effectiveness. It asks the question of where, in an environment of limited resources, attention should be focused. Conclusions: General deterrent approaches, such as frequent and highly publicized sobriety checkpoints, have the greatest potential to save lives and should be the mainstay of state and local efforts. Specific deterrent approaches, aimed at deterring DWI offenders from reoffending, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, should be applied to all apprehended drivers, whatever their drinking history. Evidence suggests that they could benefit from them. In the future, advanced in-vehicle technologies that would prevent vehicles from being driven when their drivers are over the legal limit may hold the key to drastically reducing the alcohol-impaired driving problem.

Predictors of Hazardous Drinking Behavior in 1,340 Adult Trauma Patients: A Computerized Alcohol Screening and Intervention Study

Alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) is used to decrease alcohol consumption, health care costs, and injury recidivism in trauma patients. Despite SBI being mandated for trauma centers, various concerns have led many centers to conduct SBI only on patients with a detectable blood alcohol concentration (BAC). We sought to determine the predictive nature of BAC on hazardous drinking behavior. Adult trauma patients were included if they received an SBI before discharge. SBI was administered using a computerized alcohol screening and intervention (CASI) system with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Data regarding demographics, injuries, and BAC were prospectively collected. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of hazardous drinking behavior. Data were complete for 1,340 patients, with a mean age of 43 years (SD 20 years). Sixty-eight percent were male, 33% had detectable BAC, and 19% had hazardous drinking behavior. Multivariate analysis identified age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97 per year), male sex (OR 3.1), BAC (OR 1.009 per mg/dL), detectable BAC (OR 3.9), and legal intoxication (OR 7.8) as independent predictors of hazardous drinking behavior. Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity was a significant negative predictor (OR 0.53) compared with white. Thirty-eight percent of patients with hazardous drinking behavior had no detectable BAC. Younger age, male sex, and higher BAC are early predictors of hazardous drinking behavior in adult trauma patients. Asian/Pacific Islander patients are half as likely to report hazardous drinking behavior compared with white patients. More than one-third of patients with hazardous drinking behavior do not have detectable BAC on admission and are not receiving interventions in centers that screen solely based on BAC.

Prenatal alcohol exposure, blood alcohol concentrations and alcohol elimination rates for the mother, fetus and newborn

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a common cause of intellectual impairment and birth defects. More recently, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been found to be a risk factor for fetal mortality, stillbirth and infant and child mortality. This has led to increased concern about detection and management of PAE. One to 2 h after maternal ingestion, fetal blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) reach levels nearly equivalent to maternal levels. Ethanol elimination by the fetus is impaired because of reduced metabolic capacity. Fetal exposure time is prolonged owing to the reuptake of amniotic-fluid containing ethanol by the fetus. Alcohol elimination from the fetus relies on the mother's metabolic capacity. Metabolic capacity among pregnant women varies eightfold (from 0.0025 to 0.02 g dl(-1) h(-1)), which may help explain how similar amounts of ethanol consumption during pregnancy results in widely varying phenotypic presentations of FASD. At birth physiological changes alter the neonate's metabolic capacity and it rapidly rises to a mean value of 83.5% of the mother's capacity. FASDs are highly recurrent and younger siblings have increased risk. Detection of prenatal alcohol use offers an important opportunity for office-based interventions to decrease exposure for the remainder of pregnancy and identification of women who need substance abuse treatment. Mothers of children with FAS have been found to drink faster, get drunk quicker and to have higher BACs. A modest increase in the prevalence of a polymorphism of alcohol dehydrogenase, which increases susceptibility to adverse outcomes from PAE has been reported. Lastly, detection of alcohol use and appropriate management would decrease risk from PAE for subsequent pregnancies.

Development and Validation of a Crash Culpability Scoring Tool

Objective: Several traffic safety research techniques require researchers to separate crash-involved drivers into culpable and nonculpable. Nonculpable drivers are assumed to be randomly involved in crashes by external factors and to approximate a noncollision control population. If this is true, factors that increase crash risk should be found more often in culpable than in nonculpable drivers. Though a culpability scoring tool has been developed for research purposes, that tool does not adequately address winter driving conditions (Robertson and Drummer 1994). Moreover, traditional culpability scoring requires assessors to read and score individual collision reports. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an automated, rule-based Canadian culpability scoring tool that is capable of rapidly scoring police crash reports from large administrative datasets. Methods: We used an iterative approach to develop and validate our tool. First, the Robertson-Drummer culpability scoring tool was modified to include the extensive police report data collected in the British Columbia Traffic Accident System (TAS) and to account for winter driving conditions. This was done in consultation with traffic safety experts. The scoring tool was automated, employing a rule-based decision model that avoids interpretation of free-text reports. The scoring tool was applied to 73 collisions (134 drivers). Two experts also reviewed these collisions and determined the culpability of each driver. Discrepant cases were discussed to understand why the scoring tool differed from the expert assessment and the scoring tool was modified accordingly. The final tool was compared with expert assessment on another sample of 96 crashes. The tool was also applied to a sample of 2086 crash-involved drivers with known blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and the adjusted odds of culpability were calculated for several BAC ranges. Results: The final scoring tool included 7 factors and had content validity for traffic safety experts. It had excellent agreement with expert scoring on the first set of collisions (kappa = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–0.91) and on the second set (kappa = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.77–0.92). When applied to crash-involved drivers with known BAC levels, the scoring tool exhibited predictive validity: the odds of culpability increased with higher BACs, consistent with the known dose effect of BAC on crash risk. Conclusions: We have developed an automated culpability scoring tool contextualized to Canadian driving conditions. This tool will allow road safety researchers to assess collision responsibility in large administrative data sets derived from police reports.

Ethanol up-regulates nucleus accumbens neuronal activity dependent pentraxin (Narp): Implications for alcohol-induced behavioral plasticity

Neuronal activity dependent pentraxin (Narp) interacts with α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) glutamate receptors to facilitate excitatory synapse formation by aggregating them at established synapses. Alcohol is well-characterized to influence central glutamatergic transmission, including AMPA receptor function. Herein, we examined the influence of injected and ingested alcohol upon Narp protein expression, as well as basal Narp expression in mouse lines selectively bred for high blood alcohol concentrations under limited access conditions. Alcohol up-regulated accumbens Narp levels, concomitant with increases in levels of the GluR1 AMPA receptor subunit. However, accumbens Narp or GluR1 levels did not vary as a function of selectively bred genotype. We next employed a Narp knock-out (KO) strategy to begin to understand the behavioral relevance of alcohol-induced changes in protein expression in several assays of alcohol reward. Compared to wild-type mice, Narp KO animals: fail to escalate daily intake of high alcohol concentrations under free-access conditions; shift their preference away from high alcohol concentrations with repeated alcohol experience; exhibit a conditioned place-aversion in response to the repeated pairing of 3 g/kg alcohol with a distinct environment and fail to exhibit alcohol-induced locomotor hyperactivity following repeated alcohol treatment. Narp deletion did not influence the daily intake of either food or water, nor did it alter any aspect of spontaneous or alcohol-induced motor activity, including the development of tolerance to its motor-impairing effects with repeated treatment. Taken together, these data indicate that Narp induction, and presumably subsequent aggregation of AMPA receptors, may be important for neuroplasticity within limbic subcircuits mediating or maintaining the rewarding properties of alcohol.

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundReducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol policy yet few studies have explored nightlife drinking behaviours. This study examines alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drinking environments in four European cities.MethodsA short questionnaire was implemented among 838 drinkers aged 16-35 in drinking environments in four European cities, in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. Questions included self-reported alcohol use before interview and expected consumption over the remainder of the night. Breathalyser tests were used to measured breath alcohol concentration (converted to BAC) at interview.ResultsMost participants in the Dutch (56.2%), Spanish (59.6%) and British (61.4%) samples had preloaded (cf Slovenia 34.8%). In those drinking < 3 h at interview, there were no differences in BAC by gender or nationality. In UK participants, BAC increased significantly in those who had been drinking longer, reaching 0.13% (median) in females and 0.17% in males drinking > 5 h. In other nationalities, BAC increases were less pronounced or absent. High BAC (> 0.08%) was associated with being male, aged > 19, British and having consumed spirits. In all cities most participants intended to drink enough alcohol to constitute binge drinking.ConclusionsDifferent models of drinking behaviour are seen in different nightlife settings. Here, the UK sample was typified by continued increases in inebriation compared with steady, more moderate intoxication elsewhere. With the former being associated with higher health risks, European alcohol policy must work to deter this form of nightlife.

Correlating the Blood Alcohol Concentration with Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury: Too Much Is Not a Bad Thing

Although recent evidence suggests a beneficial effect of alcohol for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the level of alcohol that confers the protective effect is unknown. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between admission blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and outcomes in patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. From 2005 to 2009, the Los Angeles County Trauma Database was queried for all patients ≥14 years of age with isolated moderate to severe TBI and admission serum alcohol levels. Patients were then stratified into four levels based on admission BAC: None (0 mg/dL), low (0-100 mg/dL), moderate (100-230 mg/dL), and high (≥230 mg/dL). Demographics, patient characteristics, and outcomes were compared across levels. In evaluating 3794 patients, the mortality rate decreased with increasing BAC levels (linear trend P < 0.0001). In determining the relationship between BAC and mortality, multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a high BAC level was significantly protective (adjusted odds ratio 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.8; P = 0.002). In the largest study to date, a high (≥230 mg/dL) admission BAC was independently associated with improved survival in patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. Additional research is warranted to investigate the potential therapeutic implications.

The Effects of Short-Term Chronic Ethanol Intoxication and Ethanol Withdrawal on the Molecular Composition of the Rat Hippocampus by FT-IR Spectroscopy

The numerous adverse effects of ethanol abuse and ethanol withdrawal on biological systems are well documented. Conversely, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these pathological effects is still incomplete. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of short-term chronic ethanol administration and ethanol withdrawal on the molecular structure and function of hippocampal tissue, a brain region important for mnemonic processes and known to be highly susceptible to ethanol intoxication. Ethanol was administered to adult Wistar rats by intragastric intubation for 15 days with a stepwise increase in the daily dose from 6 to 12 g/kg body weight, with the highest dose delivered for the last 2 days only. The total daily dose of ethanol was divided into 3 equal portions administered 4 hours apart. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation at 4, 24, and 72 hours after the last ethanol administration to examine potential effects of ethanol intoxication and ethanol withdrawal. Ethanol-related molecular changes were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Significant changes in the hippocampal content, structure, and function of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids were recorded under ethanol intoxication. Seventy-two hours after the cessation of ethanol administration, during the late phase of withdrawal, alterations in the macromolecules' content and conformational changes in protein and nucleic acid structure ameliorated, while the changes in macromolecular ratios, lipid order, and dynamics aggravated. Our results suggest that 15 days of binge-like drinking resulting in the high blood alcohol concentration (varying in the dose-dependent manner between 253 and 606 mg/dl) produced a strong physical dependence manifested mainly by the changes in lipid profiles pointing toward withdrawal-induced oxidative stress. These results show that ethanol withdrawal may cause equal to or even more severe brain damage than the ethanol itself, which should be considered when designing antialcohol therapies.

TOTAL NUMBER: A BRIEF REVIEW OF ITS IMPORTANCE AND ITS USE IN ASSESSING CEREBELLAR DAMAGE IN THE RAT FOLLOWING EARLY POSTNATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE

Knowledge of the total number of structural components that make up the various neural networks within the central nervous system is fundamental to our understanding of its normal function and of dysfunction that may accompany injury and disease. This paper briefly reviews the methodology currently used to estimate number and discusses the importance of unbiased estimates of total number in determining changes in brain structure that may underlie dysfunction. An example from the olfactory bulb is used to demonstrate the potential invalidity of using estimates of total number of objects per single section. Exposure to alcohol during the early postnatal period results in motor dysfunction in adult rats. This paper presents data on the extent and magnitude of cell loss within the cerebellar network of the rat following alcohol exposure during postnatal days 4 to 9. High transient blood alcohol concentrations result in a Purkinje cell of 27% across the entire cerebellum but with regional variabiltiy, vermal lobule X has a 43% Purkinje cell deficit. This alcohol regimen also results in a neuronal loss of 28% and 25% within the deep cerebellar nucleus and inferior olivary nucleus respectively. Consistency of overall neuronal loss across diverse neuronal populations within the cerebellar network is discussed in the context of the maintenance of cerebellar connectivity.

Alcohol dose effects on stress response to cued threat vary by threat intensity

Clarification of alcohol's effect on stress response during threat is critical to understand motivation for alcohol use and related alcohol-use disorders. Evaluation of stress response dampening (SRD) effects of alcohol has been limited by nonsystematic use of varied experimental methods and measures. This experiment parametrically varied alcohol dose and shock threat intensity among social drinkers to examine their effects on startle potentiation, a physiological measure of the affective component of the stress response. Ninety-six participants were assigned to one of four beverage groups: placebo and target blood alcohol concentration (BAC) groups of 0.04%, 0.075%, and 0.11%. Participants viewed colored cues presented in shock and no-shock blocks. Distinct colored cues predicted imminent low, moderate, or high intensity electric shock administration. Startle potentiation during shock threat relative to no-shock cues indexed affective response. High threat increased startle potentiation relative to moderate/low intensity threat. Startle potentiation decreased as BAC increased. Threat intensity moderated this BAC effect with the strongest BAC effect observed during high threat. Analysis of individual difference moderators revealed reduced effect of BAC among heavier, more problematic drinkers. Clear alcohol SRD effects were observed. These SRD effects were greatest at higher BACs and during more potent threat. Failure to account for these factors may partially explain inconsistent findings in past laboratory SRD research. Furthermore, they suggest greater reinforcement from alcohol at higher doses and among individuals with greater stress. Moderation of SRD effects by alcohol consumption and problems point to possible important risk factors.

Women's sexual arousal: Effects of high alcohol dosages and self-control instructions

The basic relationship between alcohol and women's sexual arousal – especially genital arousal – received little research attention for nearly 30 years (e.g. Wilson and Lawson, 1978) until very recently (e.g. George et al., 2009). To investigate hypotheses based on earlier findings and Alcohol Myopia Theory (AMT), two experiments evaluated the effects of high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and arousal instructional demands on indices of vaginal responding and self-reported sexual arousal. In Experiment 1, self-control instructions to maximize (versus suppress) arousal increased peak and average Vaginal Pulse Amplitude (VPA) change. Self-control also interacted with a target BAC of .08% (versus .00%) to influence latency to peak arousal onset: Intoxicated women instructed to maximize showed a shorter latency to peak arousal than did intoxicated women instructed to suppress; however, sober women showed an undifferentiated pattern. Also, in Experiment 1, the target BAC of .08% had no effect on VPA or subjective arousal measures. In Experiment 2, a target BAC of .10% (versus .00%) attenuated peak change and average change in VPA, but this dosage had no effects on latency to peak achieved arousal, or on subjective arousal. Instructions to maximize arousal (versus no instruction) had no effect on any arousal measures. Overall, among young moderate drinking women, alcohol had attenuating effects but only at the higher dosage. Maximize versus suppress instructions about arousal had predicted effects on arousal and interactive effects on latency, but only at the lower dosage. The findings highlight the importance of dosage and contextual factors in alcohol's impact on the variability of women's sexual responding.

Can We Assess Blood Alcohol Levels of Attendees Leaving Professional Sporting Events?

We measured blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of attendees at professional sporting events and assessed the factors associated with higher BACs. We conducted BAC tests of 362 adult attendees following 13 baseball games and three football games. We ran multivariate analyses to obtain factors associated with the risk of having a higher BAC. In this assessment, 40% of the participants had a positive BAC, ranging from 0.005 to 0.217. Those who reported tailgating before the event had 14 times the odds of having a BAC > 0.08 and those under age 35 had nearly 8 times the odds of having a BAC > 0.08 (both compared to a zero BAC). Attendees of Monday night football games were more likely to have positive BACs compared to attendees at all other games. We found that it is feasible to assess BAC levels of attendees at professional sporting events. Our findings suggest that a significant number of attendees at professional sporting events may have elevated BAC levels, particularly young adults and those who participated in tailgating activities. Further research using a representative sample is warranted to confirm the findings from this preliminary study.